Listera caurina
Cool dark coniferous forests, growing in the high dry litter of needles.
Height 5-25 cm. Stem glabrous below the leaves, pubescent above.
This species has long been confused with L. convallarioides which it resembles
superficially, but distinctive differences in the flowers exist.. Most
specifically, the greenish apex of the lip is broadly expanded and lacks
any cleft; behind the dilated apex two longitudinal green stripes run
up to a pair of rounded swellings at the lipÕs base which shine as if
polished when viewed under a magnifying glass. From them rise a pair of
minute horns whose purpose remains a mystery.
The Native Orchids of the United States and Canada excluding Florida
Piper [Listera retusa] Suksdorf
[Ophrys caurina] (Piper) Rydberg
Northwest Twayblade
Location
Alberta, British Columbia.
Specific Habitat
Flowering Season
June in the south to September in the far north.
Description
Leaves: 2, opposite, in the middle of the stem; green, ovate to elliptic.
Raceme loosely flowered, up to 25 greenish-yellow flowers. Lip ovate,
apex rounded.
Comments
References
Habitat
Plant
Flower
© Royal Botanical Gardens, Dr. Donald Gunn Image Collection.