One grass-like, green leaf grows from the root.
The lower petal of the blossom is wedge-shaped, with a prolonged base, and somewhat fringy in the center,—owing to the straightness of the foot-stem it points upward; the other petals and calyx-parts are pointed-oval in shape; the pistil is petal-like, and curling. The color of the flower is dark magenta, the fringes on the lip being magenta and yellow. From 2 to 6 flowers, on very short foot-stems, grow upon the single stem.
The lip is provided with a hinge, which permits it to fall, and rest upon the curling tip of the pistil beneath.
—— Calopogon pulchellus.
| Early Purple Fringed Orchid. | Habenaria fimbriata. |
| Meadow Pink. |
Found on moist and shaded banks, or beside wayside runlets, in June.
The single, erect, and leafy stalk, which grows from 15 inches to 2 feet in height, is sharp-angled, somewhat twisted, and smooth to the touch. In color it is a cool, pleasing green.
The lower leaves are sometimes 6 inches long and about 2 wide, above they are small and narrow; the shape is a long-pointed oblong, deeply indented on the strong midrib; with an entire margin, and a smooth shining surface. The color is a cool dark green, silvery with bloom underneath.
The flower is large and beautiful. The lower petal, or lip, is widely spreading and deeply 3-cleft with a fine fringed margin, and a long and slender, curving spur; the other petals are sharp-pointed, their outer margins notched; two of the calyx-parts flare like wings at either side, while the third part is erect between the upper petals; the texture is very fine, and delicate. The color is an exquisite pale lilac, the lip being slightly darker, and fading to a pure waxen white at the throat; the spur is pale pink, or nearly white. The flowers, on fine, twisted and curved, green foot-stems, are arranged alternately, and close together, in a large feathery spire, each foot-stem springing from the angle of a small leaf or bract.