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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Galearis spectabilis [= Orchis spectabilis]

Showy Orchis

Scientific Name:

Galearis spectabilis [= Orchis spectabilis]

Genus:

Galearis

Species Epithet:

spectabilis

Common Name:

Showy Orchis

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

0-1 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Pink

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May, June

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Rich, deciduous forests, most typically over calcareous or mafic rocks (Weakley 2015). Common in NC Mountains and Piedmont.

Leaf Arrangement:

Basal

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Closeup of Blooms

image

Max Patch, 2004

Plants in Bloom

image

Max Patch, 2001

Plant in Full Bloom

image

© David R. McAdoo

Flower scape arising from 2 basal leaves in late April

Macon County, NC

The Scientific Name is Galearis spectabilis [= Orchis spectabilis]. You will likely hear them called Showy Orchis. This picture shows the Flower scape arising from 2 basal leaves in late April of Galearis spectabilis [= Orchis spectabilis]

Bettina Darveaux

Rosy-pink sepals and petals above the large white lip.

Baxter Creek, Haywood County, NC

The Scientific Name is Galearis spectabilis [= Orchis spectabilis]. You will likely hear them called Showy Orchis. This picture shows the Rosy-pink sepals and petals above the large white lip. of Galearis spectabilis [= Orchis spectabilis]

Robert Bachand

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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