Isotria medeoloides
Small Whorled Pogonia
[ click on any image below to see larger version ]
Family:
Orchidaceae
(Orchid family)
Mid-Atlantic bloom time:
May - June
Small Whorled Pogonia's species epithet medeoloides reflects its similarity in form to
Cucumber Root (Medeola virginiana).
Small Whorled Pogonia is very rare throughout its range.
It is listed as G2/G3 (globally imperiled/vulnerable) and S2 (state imperiled - at high risk of extirpation) in Virginia.
As with all orchids, it should never be disturbed nor removed from where it's growing.
It is inextricably linked to its fungal partner and will not survive transplanting.
Although superficially resembling Cucumber Root,
it bears its single flower above a single set of whorled leaves (usually 5 leaves, but it can have 3-6)
whereas Cucumber Root usually bears its flowers under a second whorl of leaves.
Also, its stem is glabrous and light green,
unlike Cucumber Root's darker, pubescent and somewhat wiry stem.
It is also similar to the Large Whorled Pogonia (Isotria verticillata)
(in the same genus).
The Small Whorled Pogonia lower part of its stem is pale green (not purplish) and is generally shorter (up to 25 cm high);
many specimens are only 10-15 cm tall.
The two species are most easily differentiated when in bloom.
The Small Whorled Pogonia flower's sepals are green, not brownish,
and the flower pedicel
is shorter (at most 3 cm).
14 May 2023
Prince William County, VA
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8 May 2023
Prince William County, VA
(note green hairless stem and developing flower)
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8 May 2023
Prince William County, VA
(developing flower)
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28 April 2023
Prince William County, VA
(this one won't bloom this year)
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10 May 2023
Lancaster County, VA
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10 May 2023
Lancaster County, VA
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10 May 2023
Lancaster County, VA
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10 May 2023
Lancaster County, VA
(looking down on flowering plant)
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10 May 2023
Lancaster County, VA
(plant with remaining seed head from last year)
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10 May 2023
Lancaster County, VA
(plant with remaining seed head from last year)
|
14 May 2023
Prince William County, VA
(note green sepals)
|
14 May 2023
Prince William County, VA
(note green sepals)
|
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