Photo © 2005 Linda Bollenbach. All rights reserved.

Showy Orchid

Showy Orchids, while being far from abundant, are still common enough that I always manage to stumble over several new colonies each year. Apart from their large (for an orchid in our area they're large), scented flowers I can find no other use for them by either the Indians or the early settlers. These are just pretty wildflowers that bloom in mid-spring.

Some people, wishing to have them closer at hand, sometimes dig these plants up and carry them home in the misguided and deluded notion that they'll thrive equally well in the home garden. Alas, this is never the case.

Like all orchids in our area Showy Orchids absolutely require a subterranean fungus growing about their roots to survive. These fungi have extremely narrow environmental requirements - requirements that are both unknown and unmet in the home garden - so they die. And when the fungus dies the orchid dies with it.

For those who wish to try growing these plants at home I suggest collecting the seed in May or early June when the orchid's seed capsules ripen and broadcasting it on any area deemed suitable around the home. I've done this on a number of occasions with several species of local orchids and have never had any luck, but your experience might be different.

But whatever you do leave all wild orchids where you found them - in the wild. That way they'll always be out there and continue to delight hikers in the future.

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