radbackedsalamander's Identifications

Attached to leaves of showy lady slipper, but forgot to photograph, but, see elsewhere in the batch. I was excited to see this pod from the previous year. I thought it might be a good reference for all who seek these larger orchids, as capsule keys are nearly nonexistent (I'm not aware of any). In a rich, calcareous fen with tamarack and black ash.

Unsure if this is a known population.

I've been checking out a few spots where this species may occur and got lucky, as I wasn't given coordinates or even a general area.

I counted about 7 plants in bud, with another 3 appearing to have just leaves. Location was a small hill slope just upland of a inundated swamp. Overstory consisted of Red Maple, White Pine, Yellow Birch and American Holly and various Oak species. Midstory shrubs included what appear to be Blueberry and Swamp Azalea as well as Greenbriar and Sawbriar (Smilax glauca). Cooccurring ground cover included a small white species of Violet, Coptis trifolia, Mitchella repens, Maianthemum canadense and Anemonoides quinquefolia.

I hiked five miles through the area and did not find any other populations.

Obscuring all other observations from the day. Will report site to DCR through portal.