THE ORCHID FAMILY 
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single gland ; the pollen is granular and waxy ; the rostellum is an entire pointed projection on 
the column below the anther ; and immediately below is a deep fold or pocket which is the stigma. 
Fruit a capsule. This is one of our smallest orchids ; its stem is 1-4 inches high, slender, and 
angular, with towards the base 3-5 oblong or egg-shaped (ovate) leaves. \Plate 49. 
Very rare. Growing on bog-moss (Sphagnum), and deriving its nutriment from the moisture in 
the air (an epiphyte); distributed throughout- England and Scotland, local in Ireland, but so 
unnoticeable and sunk in the moss as to be extremely difficult to find. July — September. 
Perennial. 
III. FEN ORCHID. (LIPARIS. Rich.) — Flowers small, stalked, greenish-yellow or purplish, 
in a short spike-like cluster (raceme), the lip (labellum) erect. Outer perianth-row of 3 spreading 
lobes ; inner perianth-row of 3 lobes, the 2 side ones similar to the outer row, and the lip (labellum) 
broader, entire, and not spurred at the base. The column long, slender, and sometimes curved, 
terminated by a lid-like, stalkless anther, with the 4 pollen-masses waxy and cohering, and attached 
in pairs to 2 glands ; the rostellum absent ; and the stigma roundish ; the seedcase twisted. 
Herbs with the base of the stem enveloped in sheaths and usually bearing only 2 leaves. 
Fen Orchid, Two-leaved Liparis. (Lip&ris Loesel'ii. Rich.) — The only British 
species. As just described. A delicate little plant with 6-12 flowers terminating a stem 2-6 inches 
high ; the root is enveloped in soft sheaths, and bears 2 oblong or lance-shaped, smooth, bright 
green leaves, and by the side of the root a small bulb is formed from which the next year’s plant 
is produced. [ Plate 49. 
Very rare. Epiphyte on bog-moss (Sphagnum), in the eastern counties, though now nearly extinct 
owing to the drainage of the fen country. June — July. Perennial. 
IV. CORAL-ROOT. (CORALLORRHIZA. Chatelain.) — Flowers small, stalked, brown, in a 
loose terminal spike-like cluster (raceme), the lip (labellum) lowermost (inverted), owing to the 
twisting of the seedcase. Outer row of the perianth of 3 equal lobes ; inner perianth-row of 3 
lobes, the 2 upper similar to those of the outer row, and the lower or lip (labellum) larger, with 2 
prominent ridges, 3-lobed, the side lobes being minute, and the middle lobe slightly notched 
(emarginate) and with a short spur at the base. Column erect, rather short, terminated by the 
lid-like anther ; the pollen waxy and disposed in roundish, stalkless masses in 2 pairs ; rostellum 
absent ; stigma triangular ; seedcase twisted. Herbs without green leaves, but having membranous 
sheaths, and fleshy underground roots, branched and interlacing like coral. 
Common Coral-root. (Corallorrhiza trifida. Chatelain.)— The only British species. 
As just described. The flowers are small, yellowish, 4-10 in a loose cluster, each with a 
very small bract at the base ; the lip is white and is marked with raised purplish dots, the lobes 
of the outer row of the perianth are narrowly lance-shaped and are longer than the inner row. The 
whole plant is 6-10 inches high and is of a pale brown or yellowish colour, with a few 
sheathing bracts instead of leaves, and pale yellow coral-like roots. ( Corallorrhiza Neottia. 
Scopoli ; Corallorrhiza innata. R. Brown) 
Very rare. Boggy woods in a few localities in Scotland. July — August. Perennial. 
Tribe III. NEOTTIEAJ. — Anther terminal, attached to the column by its base ; pollen-masses 
2, stalkless ; pollen mealy, only cohering slightly. 
V. BIRD’S-NEST ORCHID. (NEOT'TIA. Adans.) — Flowers rather large, hooded, stalked, 
brown, in a dense terminal spike-like cluster (raceme), with the lip (labellum) lowermost owing to the 
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