plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Triphora trianthophoros var. trianthophoros [= Triphora trianthophora]

Three Birds Orchid, Nodding Pogonia, Nodding Ettercap

Scientific Name:

Triphora trianthophoros var. trianthophoros [= Triphora trianthophora]

Genus:

Triphora

Species Epithet:

trianthophoros

Common Name:

Three Birds Orchid, Nodding Pogonia, Nodding Ettercap

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:

July, August, September, October

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Humid forests and swamps, rhododendron thickets, especially on rotten logs or on humus, in the mountains often under hemlock. Rare throughout NC.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

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:

S2: Imperiled, S3: Vulnerable (*Key)

Global Rank:

G_T_: Subspecies or Variety Rank (add status to NOTES section) (*Key)

State Status:

W1: Watch List: Rare but Relatively Secure (*Key)

Notes:

per Weakley, "The flowers are extremely ephemeral, making the species very difficult to locate."
Per Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, "The plant may remain dormant for long periods, with the underground tuber giving rise to a new stem after several years; when the flowers bloom, they last only one day."

NC Natural Heritage Program lists NC Rank as S2S3, Global Rank as G4?T4?.

Blooms

image

© David R. McAdoo

Bloom Closeup

image

David McAdoo

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Flora of North America
 



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial t Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums