Isotria verticillata (Large Whorled Pogonia orchid) in Brevard, Transylvania County, North Carolina — 2013-04-26

This morning, Walter Ezell and I met Keith Bradley in Brevard, North Carolina to photograph a couple of early orchid species. For the next five days, heavy rains were predicted, so we wanted to take a chance that only a few flowers might be in bloom, and to take advantage of the great weather this day brought. Isotria verticillata or Large Whorled Pogonia orchid is a species that neither Walter nor Keith had photographed before. The last time I photographed it was probably eight or nine years ago, so the three of us were quite excited to see at least a dozen or more plants in full bloom. Here is an image of the flower of a Large Whorled Pogonia orchid:

I had found out about this location from a local field trip leader for the May 2012 Native Orchid Conference symposium field trip. So, I took the time to visit the site a week after the field trip was over. Here is what I saw:

If you know anything about orchids, and if you know me very well, you will surely know how frustrating it was for me to see this absolutely huge expanse of orchids out of bloom. There were hundreds and hundreds of plants, many in the process of ripening their seed capsules. Each group of whorled, green leaves is a separate plant, and I could only imagine how it looked when the entire group was in flower…

So, I promised myself that I would see them in bloom during the spring of 2013. I also wanted to be able to photograph the plants as they first sprouted out of the ground, documenting their development. The first shot I took on March 21, 2013 was one that showed the same plot in its drab, winter garb. I had hoped that the plants might be showing themselves this early:

Yes, those are grave markers in the background… This flower patch is in a cemetery; one that will remain nameless to protect the dead and to protect the orchids. Believe me, I looked very closely next to the dead leaf stalks to see if any buds were sprouting, but found absolutely nothing.

Then, I decided to wait a few more weeks before I returned to the site. This time, on April 12, 2013, I found many, tiny plant buds rising from the grave (so to speak). Here is an image of a plant bud that is about 1/2 inch (1 cm) tall:

One week later, I visited the site again and found that the plants had grown in a surprising way: They were now about 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12 cm) tall, and the dark sepals were now visible, poking through the set of clasping leaves:

Well, another week later has brought us to today’s field trip. We entered the site, and almost immediately, we saw about a dozen or more plants with fully developed flowers, the remaining ones with petals still closed, as below:

Here are some images of the open flowers. Notice the dark, extended sepals forming a kind of starburst around the rest of the flower:

What a wonderful display of orchid flowers! I think I might have to go back again very soon to see all the rest of the unopened flowers in their fully opened state.

So, I have to admit that today was very special — lots of beautful flowers and the good company of friends who appreciate them as I do…

— Jim

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Updated: May 6, 2013 after a subsequent re-visit to the Isotria verticillata site in Brevard, North Carolina.
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When I was at this Large Whorled Pogonia orchid location around April 27, 2013, there were some plants in full bloom, but most of them were still in bud. Even the ones in bloom still had their leaves partially clasping the flowers. On May 4, 2013 several of us made another visit to the site, and the flowers were in perfect condition. Three of us met at the site on this visit: Alan Cressler (below left), Kelvin Taylor (below right), and (myself) Jim Fowler (not pictured here).

When we first arrived, John Horner from Illinois was already photographing the orchids. John is an old friend whom I met at an Native Orchid Conference symposium many years ago. He had heard about the mass blooming and decided to come all the way down to North Carolina to see the flowers:

The main attraction on this visit for me (besides seeing the mature flowers) was one particular plant which had produced two flowers. Two flowers on a single plant is very rare with this species. I had never seen it, and I managed to find only one image of this occurrence on Google. Here is the double-flowered plant that we saw:

Here are some additional images of other orchids at this site:

This is a wonderful population of the species, but it is in a sensitive area that has no guarantee of being protected. Let’s hope that the owners of the site can be educated and convinced to be good stewards of this population so that we will be able to enjoy them in future years…

— Jim