(A) Ragged Fringed Orchis (Habenaria lacera) 
does not attract our attention because of its beauty, 
for its flowers are rather inconspicuous in color. They 
are, however, remarkable for the peculiarly cut and 
slashed lip, it being divided apparently with no regard 
for method or symmetry. The greenish-white flowers 
are in a dense, many-flowered raceme at the summit of 
a leafy stem from 10 to 20 inches high. The leaves 
are oblong-lanceolate, diminishing in size to the flower 
bracts as they reach the raceme. This species is not 
uncommon in swamps from Newfoundland to Minn, and 
southwards. 
(B) White Fringed Orchis (H. blephariglottis) has 
a densely flowered raceme or spike similar to that of 
the Yellow Fringed species, but the flowers are pure 
white; the lip is not divided but is copiously fringed; 
lateral sepals rounded, upper ones elliptical and con¬ 
cave; spur nearly an inch long. Leaves lanceolate and 
gradually diminishing in size as they alternate to the 
top of the stem. In July and August you may find this 
species flowering, throughout the United States. 
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