Isotria verticllata

Isotria verticillata [Large Whorled Pogonia]

This picture shows all that is left of the once magnificent flower of the Large Whorled Pogonia [Iostria verticillata] [left], right shows the same flower just two weeks before. It was not successfully pollinated, as there is no seed pod on this flower this year. It is truly a marvel after all the challeges plants go through in a year just to produce a single flower for just two weeks and hopefully reproduce. From gowing all summer, and in the case of this orchid the leaves, after flowering, will double in size to store enough energy to produce a flower next year and hopefully be successfully pollinated. In the mean time it will need sufficient moisture, sunlight. and avoiding being eaten by a bear, or deer, or perhaps a rabbit, and avoid all the ravages of insects. For all their beauty plants such as this one orchid have a single purpose, to reproduce and continue its species.

Close up of the beautiful labellum on Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-11-24. The labellum can be green, yellow or white and may also have a purple stripe.

Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-11-24

The wonderful colors and unique beauty of the Large Whorled Pogonia orchid [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-11-24

Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-11-24

The wonderful colors and unique beauty of the Large Whorled Pogonia orchid [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-11-24

After our last snow [8 inches] I was surprised to see a seed pod from a Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata]. This plant last bloomed 2 years ago [2022] and the seed pod is still standing tall.

Large Whorled Pogonia seed pod in snow. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-23-23. After releasing thousands of tiny seeds this single orchid seed pod still stands out, like a beacon on a snowy cold day. [Isotria verticillata]. It is amazing to think that this one seed pod is a reflection of the energy from sun, rain, and a good growing season that was stored in this plants roots [bulb] from the previous year [2021], enabling this one plant to produce a inflorescence [flower] in 2022, and after being pollinated, this one lone seed pod. I have found that for every dozen plants from this particular orchid only a few might have the energy to produce a flower, and of these very few if any are pollinated correctly enough to produce a seed pod. The life cycle of the Large Whorled Pogonia, and many other plants can be hard to say the least. I think this is why I have such admiration, respect and love of plants.

On the shortest day of the year I was struck by the last rays of the setting sun coming through a lone seed pod of a Large Whorled Pogonia orchid making it look as though the pod was a glowing candle. This image on a stark winters day was one of my favorites from last year, it seemed to give hope on a deep dark winters day. [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 12-21-22

Out of the 15 or so Blooming Large Whorled Pogonia seen at this location last May and of the 10 that produced a seed pod, this was the lone survivor that survived the deer. Isotria verticillata. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-14-22.

Its that time of year again, orchid leaf peeping time! Large Whorled Pogonia [Isotria verticillata] Dauphin, County, Pa. 10-6-22

It was a tough year for Large Whorled Pogonia, at least in my area. Of the ten that had seed capsules only one survived the deer and drought & insects. It can be tuff being a orchid or any plant for that matter. [Istria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-20-22

Just a few weeks ago this Large Whorled Pogonia was in full bloom, and all its glory, now all that is left is the remnant of a flower but the start of a seed capsule after the flower has been pollinated. Aren't plants just amazing! [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-3-22

At 18 inches tall [to the leaves] this Pogonia is truly a giant, and the tallest that I have ever seen. Large Whorled Pogonia orchid [Isotria verticillata]. Central, Pa. 5-17-22

Large Whorled Pogonia orchid [Isotria verticillata]. Central, Pa. 5-17-22

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