Isotria verticllata

Isotria verticillata [Large Whorled Pogonia]

Large whorled Pogonia orchid [Isotria verticillata], in fall color. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-6-21

Who says fall is just for tree leaf color. Now is the time to get out and look for colonies of Large whorled Pogonia orchid [Isotria verticillata]. They have the most beautiful yellow color and nothing else comes close to their bright coloration on the forest floor. Case in point, I went to check on a colony of perhaps a dozen plants yesterday, and not very far away found a colony of 40 that I never knew were there! All because of their wonderful fall color! Dauphin County, Pa. 10-6-21, Its orchid peeping time!

Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata].Dauphin County,Pa.5-14-21

Just about ready to open! Large Whorled pogonia [Isotria verticillata].Pa.5-8-21.What a wonderful sight after not seeing any flowering last year due to some hard May freezes.

Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata].Pierced a leaf as it made its way up through last years leaf litter.After I took it away,you can see the ring around the top where the the leaf had been.I hope this one is able to bloom.Dauphin County,Pa.5-21-20

Happily my earlier predictions of no Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata] this year in my known areas were greatly exaggerated [that's my Mark Twain imitation].In four different areas I found over 30 plants coming up.Hopefully A few will bloom.It's so good to be wrong and I was so happy to find plants!Dauphin County,Pa.5-21-20

Interesting picture of Large whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata] flower stems from the last tree years from the same location.2017 far right 18 middle and 19 [you can still see what is left of the seed pod] on left.All I could find this year was a blackened bud at this location.

Large whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata].Went to check on one of my favorite places for Large Whorled Pogonia.All I could find were last year's flower stems and three shoots that came up with blackened buds.From the recent frost and freezes I guess?,even though I thought they were well protected in the leaf litter and under trees.It won't see like spring without them,so I will keep looking,but not looking too good.Dauphin County,Pa.5-12-20

Fall is a beautiful time to see trees in all their color,but trees aren't the only living thing in the forest with wonderful fall color.Plants as well can show off for the last time of the year.The beautiful leaves of the wild orchid,Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata].Dauphin County,Pa.10-11-19.After this orchid flowers in May,it's leaves continue to grow,more than doubling in size.

Out of the two dozen Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata] that I found this year this was the only one to set a seed pod,which is about normal for me.Dauphin County,Pa.6-27-19.Amazingly pictured with last years plant to the right.

I have been fortunate over the years to have seen many Large Whorled Pogonia,but this specimen at 20 inches tall was the largest I ever encountered.A real giant with a huge flower.Dauphin County,Pa.5-16-19 [Isotria verticillata] .I was actually on my knees taking a picture of normal size pogonia,when something kept hitting on the side of my face,when finally I looked and out of the corner of my eye to see what it was- and there it was this giant-I never even noticed it till then.Nature sure can be full of surprises!

Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata].Dauphin County,Pa.5-15-19

What a surprise,went to check and see if the Large Whorled Pogonia have started to come and found six blooming!My favorite woodland orchid.[Isotria verticillata].Dauphin County,Pa,5-11-19