Bill's Botanical Forays

While exploring the south side of Beaver Valley, I came across a population of Small Green Wood Orchid or Club Spur Orchid (Platanthera clavellata (Michx.) Luer). The plants were found in a boggy seepage area at the base of a slope which leads to an upload woods. Although it is a plain little orchid, its shape is quite elegant. The individual flowers are about 1/4 inches across.

It is native to Eastern North America with isolated populations in Texas and North Dakota.