Orchis tridentata. S3 



ftooT perennial and palmate. Stem angular, from ten to twelve 

 inches high, having three leaves ; the lower, proceeding from the root 

 by a sheathing duplicature of its base, is about six inches long, spa- 

 thulate or ensiform -lanceolate, attenuated at base, and somewhat ob- 

 tuse, conspicuously marked with numerous longitudinal nerves. As- 

 paragus-green beneath, yellowish-green above, glabrous and shining. 

 The middle leaf about an inch or an inch and a half long, linear- 

 lanceolate and channelled, also sheathing the stem. The upper one 

 linear, and half an inch long Spike half a finger's length, six, eight, 

 and ten-flowered. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the 

 germ. Flowers small, pale sulphur-yellow, and under a lens full of 

 pellucid glands. Germs green. Petals nearly equal,ovate, obtuse. 

 Lip lanceolate, longer than the petals, three-toothed at the apex ; 

 hence the specific name. Horn filiform, clavate at the apex, longer 

 than the germ. 



An inhabitant of shaded bogs, from New York to Virginia, flow- 

 ering in July and August. 



The genus orchis is of great antiquity in botany, and derives its 

 name from the testicular shape of the roots in many species. Being 

 very extensive, it necessarily comprised many plants which might 

 well be separated into distinct genera. Accordingly it was subjected 

 to revision by Willdenow, who allotted some of the species to a dis- 

 tinct genus, which he denominated Habenaria. But this group has 

 vol. i. 15 



