A circumboreal species, growing in Deciduous and further north Boreal Forest, in rich loam over dolostone bedrock, even though it requires acid or subacid soil. Plants generally grow in partial shade of forest clearings and edges or among widely spaced trees. The leaf covered soil is generally well-drained and often rocky, with sparse ground cover in forests, and a mixture of forest and old-field species in clearings and along trails.

Height 10 - 40 cm.
Stem leafy, all leaves clasping the stem; upper leaves reduced in size.
Leaves 2 - 5, usually 4; 2 on non-flowering plants.
Spike 6 - 20 cm long, 5 - 35 flowers, dense or lax.
Lowermost flower bracts 3 - 5 times larger than flowers, upper bracts much reduced.
Flowers green, petals and sepals forming a hood over the pendant lip which is toothed, sometimes tinged with rose or red-brown. Short, sac-like spur.

Grows alone or in small groups. Occurs infrequently and does not seem to survive for many seasons. Widespread from the Carolinian Zone to the shore of James Bay and HudsonŐs Bay.

Orchids of Ontario
The Canadian Field-Naturalist
The Orchids of Bruce & Grey