The root-leaves are long (sometimes about 6 inches), broadly oval, blunt at the tip, tapering into a grooved foot; the margin is entire (as is true of all Orchids), the texture thick, and leathery. The upper side of the leaf is dull green, underside it is silvery with bloom. The leaves which occur along the flower-spike are long-pointed, erect, clasping, and alternate.
The lip of the flower is large, and spreading, with a flattened spur which is largest at the tip, and as long as the foot-stem; other petals small, club-shaped, and bent over like a hood; the calyx parts stand erect, their tips pointed. All parts of the flower are leathery, and thick in texture; and colored a pale pink-violet, except the lip, which is waxen white, tinted with yellow. It is set on a short, twisted foot-stem, in the clasp of a leaf-like bract. The arrangement is alternate, in a few-flowered spike.
This is a noticeably lustreless flower. The twist in the foot-stem is an interesting feature.
GAY ORCHIS: Orchis spectabilis.
| Pink Lady’s Slipper. | Cypripedium acaule. |
| Whip-poor-will. |
Found in the woods, frequently under evergreens, though sometimes in deciduous shade, during May.
The slender flower-stem, from 8 to 12 inches in height, is bent like a shepherd’s crook, and bears on the curve a small, pointed, green leaf. It is hairy, and light green.
There are 2 root-leaves, large (from 5 to 7 inches long), oval, with a pointed tip, and a much clasping base; the ribs are parallel, and prominent, the margin is entire, the texture is loose, and somewhat coarse, and the surface is hairy. Color, green.
The lip of the flower is shaped like a large, hollow bag, slightly puckered on its infolded margin; the other petals are long, narrow, and twist, or curl, on either side of the bag; the calyx-parts are apparently only 2 (though botanists consider the lower is composed of two parts grown together),—they are placed above, and below the bag. The petal-like pistil is pink; the bag—of a loose texture—is a crude crimson-pink, inclining to violet, veined by many darker lines; the other parts of the flower—of a thin texture and hairy—are colored a dull reddish-brown, tinted with purple. The single flower hangs from the end of the stem.