©rcbis jfamil^. 



Habenaria hyperhorea. 



Found in cold dark bogs, and deep woods, iu July and August. 



The rigidly erect stalk, in height 10 to 18 inches, is round and 

 smooth at the foot, but becomes angular or grooved, and twisted, 

 above ; pale green in color. 



The lower leaves are oblong, and round-pointed, the upper leaves 

 longer and sharp-pointed ; they are folded on the midrib, and leathery 

 in texture ; in color dark green, the underside pale, shining, and moist. 

 They are placed alternately, and clasp the stalk like a sheath. Three 

 or 4 large leaves occur at the foot ; the change to the pointed shape is 

 very abrupt. 



The flower is small ; the lip is sharp-pointed and flaring, the other 

 petals smaller and narrow, their tips overlapping, under the erect calyx- 

 part, M'hile the two side calyx-parts curve downwards ; the spur is blunt, 

 short, and curved. The seed-box is very noticeable, shaped like a large 

 5-angled bag, with a very small neck, from which the blossom spreads. 

 All parts of the flowers are tinted alike, a dull green. They are set 

 tight to the stalk each in the clasp of a small sharp-tipped pale-green 

 leafy bract, in a close club-shaped spike. 



The stamens just show their brown tips under the hooded petals, 

 thus increasing the fantastic likeness to a little old woman which is 

 given to the flower by its big seed-box. Reports from Iceland and 

 Greenland show that this Orchid ventures far into the arctic regions. 



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