©rcbis ifamili?. 



Fringed Green Orchid. Rabmm^ia lacera. 



Ragged Orchis. 



Found, during July and August, on moist banks, and beside 

 running water. 



The round smooth stalk grows to be 8 or 12 inches high; it is 

 nearly white at the foot, gaining to a dull, but pale, green near the 

 flowers. 



The few leaves are lance-shaped, large near the ground and 

 lessening to a mere sheath above, of a tough texture, and smooth 

 surface. They are alternately placed, and clasp the stalk with a 

 marked fold on the midrib. The color is a faded yellow-green. 



The lip of the small flower is fan-shaped, with a very narrow base, 

 3-cleft, and spreading ; the other petals are erect and fringy ; the spur is 

 long and curved ; the calyx is small, the side-parts flaring, the third 

 part erect behind the petals ; it is colored a pale yellow-green. The 

 foot-stem is slightly twisted, as long as the spur, and pale. The 

 blossoms are placed alternately, rising from the angles of small enfold- 

 ing leaves (bracts), in a scattering terminal spike. 



There is a monotony of hue about this plant, and a general 

 dinginess of aspect, that render it rather uninteresting ; the lip more 

 nearly approaches clarity of tone than any other part of the flower. 



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