2. P. péndula, Lindl. Stem (3–8´ high) from oblong tubers, bearing 3 to 7 alternate ovate-clasping very small (3–6´´) leaves, the upper 1–4 with drooping flowers in their axils on slender pedicels; perianth ½´ long, narrow; lip spatulate, somewhat 3-lobed, roughish or crisped above, crestless.—Damp woods, N. Eng. to Fla., west to Wisc. and Mo.
§ 2. Sepals linear, dingy or brownish, longer and much narrower than the erect or connivent petals; lip 3-lobed at the apex, crested down the middle, beardless; flowers solitary (or rarely a pair), terminal; root a cluster of fibres.
3. P. divaricàta, R. Br. Stem (1–2° high) bearing a lanceolate leaf in the middle, and a leafy bract next the flower, which is recurved on the ovary; but the sepals ascending or diverging, spatulate-linear, longer than the lanceolate-spatulate pointed and flesh-colored petals, these about 1–1½´ long.—Wet pine-barrens, N. J. to Fla. June, July.
4. P. verticillàta, Nutt. Stem (6–12´ high) naked, except some small scales at the base and a whorl of mostly 5 obovate or obovate-oblong sessile leaves at the summit; flower dusky purplish, on a peduncle longer than the ovary and capsule; sepals more than twice the length of the petals, narrowly linear, spreading from a mostly erect base (1½–2´ long); lip with a narrow crest down the middle.—Low woods, N. Eng. to Fla., west to Ind. and Wisc.; rather rare, especially eastward. May, June. Glaucous when young. Fruit-stalk erect, about 1½´ long, more than half the length of the leaves.
5. P. affìnis, Austin. Somewhat smaller than the preceding; leaves paler and rather narrower; flowers (not rarely in pairs) yellowish or greenish; peduncle much shorter than the ovary and capsule; sepals but little longer than the petals, tapering to the base; lip crested over the whole face and on the middle of the lobes.—Low woods, S. W. Conn., S. New York, and N. New Jersey; rare.
Flower ringent; the sepals and petals nearly equal. Lip turned downward, coalescing with the base of the column, spurred below. Anther-cells contiguous and parallel. Pollen cohering in numerous coarse waxy grains, which are collected on a cobweb-like elastic tissue into 2 large masses (one filling each anther-cell) borne on a slender stalk, the base of which is attached to a gland or sticky disk of the stigma, the two glands contained in a common little pouch or hooded fold, placed just above the orifice of the spur. Flowers showy, in a spike.—Our species with low scape-like stems, with 1 or 2 leaves at base, from fleshy-fibrous roots. (Ὁρχις, the ancient name.)
1. O. spectábilis, L. (Showy Orchis.) Root of thick fleshy fibres, producing 2 oblong-obovate shining leaves (3–6´ long), and a few-flowered 4 angled scape (4–7´ high); bracts leaf-like, lanceolate; sepals and petals all lightly united to form the vaulted galea or upper lip, pink-purple, the ovate undivided lip white.—Rich woods, N. Brunswick to Ga., west to Minn. and Mo. May.
2. O. rotundifòlia, Pursh. Stem naked above, 1-leaved at base (5–9´ high), from a slender creeping rootstock; leaf varying from almost orbicular to oblong (1½–3´ long); flowers rose-purple, the lip white and spotted with purple, 3-lobed, and the larger middle lobe dilated and 2-lobed or strongly notched at the summit (4–6´´ long), exceeding the ovate-oblong petals and sepals, and the slender depending spur. (Habenaria rotundifolia, Richardson.)—Damp woods and bogs, N. Maine to Vt., N. Y., Minn., and northward.
16. HABENÀRIA, Willd. Rein-Orchis.