There are so many wonderful treasures in nature. And thus it is hard for me to choose which to share in each post. But here is my chosen treasure for today. 🙂
The transient between winter’s bare bones and spring’s bounty were on display. We headed into the woods.
Indeed I was ready with my data sheet and Garmin to find some cool treasures.
We had hardly got started for the morning when we came across the Spring Coralroot Orchid (Corallorhiza wisteriana)! Oh wow this was pretty neat!
It has alternating flowers.
This plant is a bit unusual because “it is myco-heterotrophic, obtaining nutrients through mycorrhizal fungi instead of photosynthesis.” Additionally it does not make an appearance every year. Furthermore it is easily overlooked with it brown color that matches the leaf litter quite well. On this day as we wandered about we probably found a hundred plants scattered in the area. Super cool!
Little is known about the pollinators for this plant, but thought to include mosquitos, gnats, and wasps. However I happened on this little insect on one. It was tiny and it did not stay long.
So I tried to capture a shot each time we moved to new area.
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know
7 Comments
Those orchids really are cool. And i love the pic showing the in-between. Winter and spring. And i think it would be great to be able to live between land and sea.
Kathy, Corallorhiza is present at Fort Worth Nature Center, but that’s still a bit farther east than LBJ. Here’s a link to its BONAP map which doesn’t even show its presence in Tarrant County though I know it’s there. It has an interesting documented distribution. https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Corallorhiza%20wisteriana.png
Kathy, I have found it on the LBJ Grasslands too. However it does not sprout up every year. And I don’t think I will have time to go check on it this year with all my trips to the CaddoNG.
Those orchids really are cool. And i love the pic showing the in-between. Winter and spring. And i think it would be great to be able to live between land and sea.
I guess if you put one foot in the water and one on land you could. 😉 What would you call this place of in-between? Maybe an inny-outy?
So nice to find coralroots! A good omen for you!
Wow, that is one I have not seen. Would it only be found in the eastern half of the state versus LBJ Gr of Wise County?
Kathy, Corallorhiza is present at Fort Worth Nature Center, but that’s still a bit farther east than LBJ. Here’s a link to its BONAP map which doesn’t even show its presence in Tarrant County though I know it’s there. It has an interesting documented distribution.
https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Corallorhiza%20wisteriana.png
Kathy, I have found it on the LBJ Grasslands too. However it does not sprout up every year. And I don’t think I will have time to go check on it this year with all my trips to the CaddoNG.
That’s so cool to find it again!!