HARPER'S GUIDE TO WILD FLOWERS 



fairy flowers grew. It bordered a lake, and in the early- 

 spring the moccasin flower fairly dotted the grove as the 

 feet of the red men with their moccasins may have trodden 

 there years ago. Neither rocks nor a swamp were there, 

 but many inches of soft, dead pine needles, and mossy 

 cushions made the homes of the Lady's Slipper. And since 

 then, I find it everywhere in the pine woods of Long Island. 

 Wherever found it is the very essence of the woods exultant 

 in the new spring, and it should never be torn from its 

 lovely retreat to pine in some parlor vase, or still worse, to 

 decorate a lady's belt. From Newfoundland, south to 

 North Carolina, and westward. 



Showy Orchis 

 Orchis spectabilis. — Family, Orchis. Color, crimson and white. 

 Leaves, 2, large, the largest 4 inches wide, 8 inches long, oblong or 

 ovate, fleshy, shiny above, clammy, with smooth, wavy margins, 

 arising from near the base of the stem. A low orchid, from 

 fibrous roots, bearing a single flower - scape, with 3 or 4 rather 

 large flowers, 1 inch long, at the summit. The lip is white, pro- 

 longed backward into a blunt spur, not notched or divided. The 

 other petals and sepals lightly unite, forming a queer, pointed 

 little hood or galea, which is dark, rich crimson, with a tinge 

 of purple, in color. Capsules, 1 inch long. Height of plant, 6 

 or 7 inches. April to June. 



Rich woods, New England south to Georgia, westward to 

 Nebraska, and in the mountains of Virginia, where it may be 

 found 4,000 feet high. In parts of Pennsylvania this orchis 

 bears the name of preacher-in-the-pulpit. (See illustration, 

 P- 247-) 



0. rotundifolia. — Color of sepals and petals deep pink, except 

 the lip, which is white, spotted with purple. One roundish or 

 oval leaf is borne near the base of the stem, with 1 or 2 sheathing 

 scales below. Flowers, several, in a spike, at the end of a stem 8 

 to 10 inches high, from a creeping rootstock. May and June. 



Sometimes found in swamps, more often in damp woods 

 from New England to Georgia, westward to Dakota. 



Small Purple Fringed Orchis 



Habenkna. psycbdes — Family, Orchis. Color: although this is 

 named a purple fringed orchis, I prefer to call it a deep pink, almost 

 crimson, occasionally white. Sepals and petals small, the latter 



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