Showy Orchis, Showy Orchid, Purple-hooded Orchid, Gay Orchid, Purple Orchis, Two-leaved orchis - Galearis spectabilis
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Galearis spectabilis - Showy Orchis, Showy Orchid, Purple-hooded Orchid, Gay Orchid, Purple Orchis, Two-leaved orchis. Galearis is a small genus found in eastern North America and east Asia. At its narrowest circumscription it has 2 species, 1 in Asia and the species presented here, Galearis spectabilis (formerly known as Orchis spectabilis.) At its broadest circumscription it contains 10 species, some moved known in North America and moved into the genus from such genera as Amerorchis and Neolindleya, as well as several newly described and/or reclassified species in east Asia.
Galearis spectabilis is found in moist woods of all states east of the Mississippi River except Florida, as well as Minnesota and 6 other states west of the Mississippi. It is also found in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick in Canada. This plant was formerly classified as Orchis spectabilis.
Found in:
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, GS
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Distribution of Galearis spectabilis in the United States and Canada:
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
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| | Site: Porters Creek Trail, GSMNP, Sevier County, TN Date: 2016-April-18 | Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro | | The genus name Galearis come from the Latin word for helmet - galea - referring to the helmet-like hood. The hood - usually pink - is formed by the 3 sepals curving over and hiding the two similarly-colored lateral petals. These hang above the lip - the modified middle petal - which is usually white. There are recognized forms of Galearis spectabilis which are entirely pink (forma willeyi) and entirely white (forma gordinierii.) | | 
| | Site: Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, GSMNP, Sevier County, TN Date: 2015-May-05 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The sepals of Showy Orchis, as with most orchids, are very petal-like. Here the two lateral sepals are spreading as the plant ages, giving the flower a more winged rather than helmeted appearance. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Porters Creek Trail, GSMNP, Sevier County, TN Date: 2016-April-18 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | Showy Orchis grows up to about 10 inches tall, bearing the flowers on a conspicuously angled stalk rising between 2 (occasionally only 1) large, green basal leaves. The inflorescence will have 2 to 15 beautiful flowers among the leafy bracts. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, GSMNP, Sevier County, TN Date: 2015-May-05 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | Galearis spectabilis is less deceitful than many orchids - about one-third of orchids do not produce pollen but instead "trick" pollinators into the flowers with bright colors and sweet aroma. Showy Orchis, however, does reward pollinators with food - nectar contained in the spur at the base of the lip. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Little River Trail, GSMNP, Sevier County, TN Date: 2015-May-04 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | Galearis spectabilis grows in moist thickets and old fields as well as moist, calcareous woodlands where it sometimes shares habitat with Sedum ternatum - Woodland Stonecrop. The "conspicuously angled stem" (descriptive term from Flora of North America) can be noted in the rightmost Showy Orchis plant in this photo. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Middle Prong Trail, GSMNP, Sevier County, TN Date: 2015-July-21 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The fruit of Showy Orchis is a capsule which is somewhat triangular in cross-section. They are held erect above the remaining floral bracts. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
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References used for identification and information:
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