Large Whorled Pogonia

This orchid is overall small in size but the flowers are actually fairly large. The flowers are short-lived and plants only blooms in certain years so it is quite a treat to see one in bloom.  I have heard reports that this orchid can go 10 years between blooming. I have only found one station of them and they were below the Pink Lady Slippers at Raccoon Creek State Park. When I found them there were 7 in bloom in a handfull not in bloom. The following year there were only 3 in bloom. It's relative the Small Whorled Pogonia is considered by some to one of the rarest native orchids east of the Mississippi River.

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