Wild Orchids of Northern Ontario
Orchids! The mere name conjures images of large, delicate and exquisite flowers found in equatorial jungles. Around the world, there are over 1,000 genera and approximately 20,000 to 30,000 species of orchids, mostly found in the tropics where they are parasitic and grow on other plants. In other areas, they are usually terrestrial and some species can grow as far north as the Arctic. Orchids (family Orchidaceae) are probably the largest family of flowering plants in species numbers but are rarely dominant. Some species are being driven into extinction due to destruction of their habitat. In this area, we are fortunate to have excellent growing conditions for several species that have adapted to a northern climate. None are of the size that would be associated with a lady's corsage while several are extremely small and can be passed by without being noticed at all.
Throughout the Temagami area, in a few select locations, can be found several species of rare wild orchids that are native to northern Ontario. A few local species are considered rare anywhere in Canada and are listed as growing (across North America) "as far north as southern Ontario". A photo of this orchid, the Nodding Ladies' Tresses, can be seen below. Growth is noticeable after the last dangers of a spring frost have passed and the flowers of some species will begin to bloom in late May while others start in late August and continue through September. The best bloom time can vary by up to a couple weeks, depending mainly on spring's arrival time which varies each year. Also, not every species will bloom every year which I can only suspect is dependant upon a perfect combination of sunlight, temperature and precipitation.
I firmly believe that there could be several other varieties of orchids beyond the 25 that I have already found. There could be 6 to 12 more that just haven't been discovered locally, photographed and documented yet. Since these new ones are known to be found in the presence of other known orchids in both bogs/fens and drier upland locations in other parts of Ontario, it seems logical that they might just be here also. If anyone knows of or suspects any species not listed below that are in bloom anywhere in the greater Temagami area, I would appreciate hearing about them so I can photograph and add them to this ever-growing list. Immediately snap a pic of them with your cell phone from eye level of the suspected orchid (not from a standing height that looks like you were on top of a ladder) and flip it on to my cell phone at 1-705-274-3791. Vertical pics are preferred over horizontal ones to reduce unnecessary clutter in the photo ... and move in close! I would rather tell people a hundred times that "Nope, that's a weed" than to miss out once on a new orchid. Obviously, I don't have pics of the suspets but my go-to field guide book is "The Orchids of Bruce & Grey" counties (near Owen Sound) that has all of the orchids that I have found around Temagami. Credits will be issued for guide services.
A word of advice for guests wishing to photograph these flowers: be prepared to get wet! Orchids characteristically grow in floating peat bogs, fens, swamps and marshes as well as in other low laying wet soil conditions. Knee high rubber boots or a very old pair of running shoes are the preferred footwear for these excursions. Only a few select species can live on drier ground such as those found on forest floors. Insect repellent is a necessity during May and June and is optional during the remainder of the summer.
It is imperative that extreme caution be taken while photographing these delicate plants so as not to inflict any harm to the plant, its root system or any other flora in the immediate area. Attempts at transplanting orchids into garden areas have historically proven to be detrimental or fatal to these exquisite plants due to the differences in sunlight, soil acidity and moisture. Therefore, I highly discourage people from even considering this malicious act.
2024 ORCHID REPORT.
Sunday, September 1, 2024. This past summer was one of the stranger years ever for predicting when various varieties would bloom. Pink lady slippers were normal for late May but then all others after that were either early or never showed at all. The last to bloom are always the Heloborine and they arrive in early September to the frost in the middle of the month. This year, they bloomed and were gone before the end of August. All of the plantains were either scarce and small or non-existant. I never found a single purple fringed orchid, club spur or heart leafed twayblade. Hopefully, next year will be a return to normal for all of these delicate beauties.
Tuesday, July 2, 2024. So far this spring, there have beem great showings of most early arrivals. The exception was the Arethusas or Lion's Breath orchids. Although present, they were here in greatly reduced numbers for some unknown reason this spring.They are present when another non-orchid, the buckbean, is in flower and there were lots of them as usual but few orchids. Both are long gone now as are the Small and Large Yellow Lady Slippers. The earliest orchids that I know of in this region, the common Pink Lady Slippers were slightly fewer than normal and the big pink pouches, or slippers, were not as dark pink as normal this year. The rare white variety of these did show in the only 2 locations that I know of and both pinks and whites have passed. However, the Large Showy Lady Slippers, although late in arriving, are still looking good but past their prime and should be around through the coming weekend. I did notice a more than normal amount of them had 2 flowers on each stalk this year. I was hoping to perhaps find a triple bloom on a stalk but that didn't happen. Right now, the Grass Pinks and Rose Begonias are reaching prime and there's plenty of them every where but all within a foot or two of open waters in fens and bogs. I still haven't seen any sign of even stalks and/or base leaves of Heart Leaf Tway Blades, Spotted Coral Root, Round Leaf, Club Spur, Purple Fringed, Tall Northern and White Bog orchids yet. I did see just one tiny basal rosette of a Rattlesnake Plantain but I doubt if it will ever bloom this year.
Sunday, June 2, 2024. It seems as if Nature has returned to near normal for the orchid growth. Earlier this week, pink Lady Slippers were showing up but in fewer numbers than in previous years. When I checked on one location known for the bright yellow Small Lady Slippers, there were the usual amount (lots) of them and they are right on schedule. But, when I took a hike into the deeper forest of cedar/moss fens, there are few signs of the Large Yellow Lady Slippers and where I did find some, they were far and few between and not much more than just up and out of the ground...... slightly behind schedule for this time of year. Ditto for the large Showy Lady Slippers which are far and few between yet and very short in stature. I found one sole Arethusa and not a sign of the Grass Pinks, Rose Begonias, Tall Northern Greeen or White Orchids, any & all of the various Plantains and other known spring flowers such as the Buckbean or Low Bush Cranberry. Even the Cotton Grass is just starting to show heads of fluff and eventually seeds. I put my hand in the moss and the moistuure was freezing cold so that would explain the slow growth of vgetation and the noticably lack of black flies & mosquitoes in the fen. I suspect that it will be 2 weeks, possibly more, before there is a good showing of all of the above unless we get some extremely warm weathr to speed things up.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024. I still have nothing to report as to orchid sightings. The bush is still too cold for any plant growth but spring came earlier than usual this year. The walleye finished their spawn a week early, wild strawberries are in bloom now (another week ahead of schedule) which means there are morels coming up now ... a week early. I'll keep an eye on all 4 of the Lady Slipper varieties and I'm expecting them to be here ahead of normal ... but time will tell as the forest floor is still quite cold.
Sunday, April 21, 2024. Obviously, it is much too early to see orchids yet but I can say that we are having an earlier than normal spring this year (with the ice already gone off area lakes) so potentially, we might see them up to a week earlier than usual. Please check back in here on a regular basis and I will post any updates I have to report on as to expected best times for maximum bloom.
For anyone wishing to see the annual orchid reports from years previous to this recent past year, they are listed, in order, at the bottom of this page.
2023 ORCHID REPORT.
Tuesday, July 3, 2023. We have had an unusually dry spring through the early summer this year. All greenery and especially orchids have not fared well because of this. We did get the usual pink Lady Slippers but everything else has been noticably absent so far. The bush, as a whole, is extremely dry. I will be out and about on an irregular schedule and report back what I see then. Hopefully, a lot of rain will be coming our way to remedy this situation.
Friday, September 22, 2023. This has had to be the poorest year for finding and photographing orchids that I have seen in the 15 or 20 years that I have been chasing these little marvels of Nature. Over half of the varities that I have listed below never showed at all this summer. And I have no idea why. I thought there was sufficient rains for growth but I guess Nature had other ideas. Even the Hellborine that, for orchids, are quite common at this time of autumn are extremely scarce this year and, if found, are shorter than normal. We can only hope that next year's crop will be more productive. Unless something changes, this could be my last posting for '23. Thanks to evryone that follows this report and I look forward to hearing from you next season, especially if you locate a new one that I don't have posted. I'm cetain that there are an additional 6 to 10 orchids that can be found in the greater Temagami area that have not been documented as of yet. Call me ASAP so I can photograph and document it that same day. Credits will be given upon positive identification.
The 25 various species of native wild orchids that I have identified are as follows:
The Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) or Pink Moccasin Flower is one of the earliest flowering orchids in the area and appears from late May through mid June every year. At 8 to 12" (15 to 30 cm.) with a bright solitary pink flower, it is quite common and can easily be seen growing among other plants such as twin flowers, wintergreen or Canada lilies in the drier acidic soils of undisturbed old growth forests of red, white and jack pines. The two large leaves growing from the bottom of an elongated pubescent (hairy) stalk resemble the leaves of an oversized Lily of the Valley. The sac can vary in color from light- to dark-pink (as seen here in the left photo) from year to year. Very occasionally, there will be an all-white form of the flower (as seen here in the right photo) that is known as Cypripedium acaule forma albiflorum. Plants can grow as individuals or in tightly packed groups of up to 8 or 10.
The Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin) is a small, dainty orchid of 6 to 15" (15 to 40 cm.) with a brilliant yellow lip sac up to 1" (2.5 cm.) long that is compressed vertically and has 3 long tightly-spiralled, glossy petals that are dark reddish-purple. With a sweet but strong vanilla fragrance, it can often be located by scent before being observed. Found mainly in very damp and acidic swamp locations, the blooms will last up to 3 weeks in early June. The leaf pattern on the soft stalks more resembles the Showy Lady Slipper than the Pink Lady Slipper.
The Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens) can be difficult to distinguish from the Small Yellow Lady's Slipper without close examination. Initially, it is much taller at 16 to 22" (40 to 60 cm.) and can grow in a variety of light and soil conditions from full sunlight to shadows such as openings in swampy coniferous forests to dry open rocky locations. It can grow as a single plant or in bunches of up to 50 plants. The bright yellow egg-shaped lip sac is compressed horizontally and the inside of it is spotted and/or streaked with dark rusty-red. Light greenish-brown petals are abnormally long and only slightly spirally twisted. The dorsal sepal of the same color arches down over the sac with all 3 being united behind the sac. Deep veined leaves are rather pubescent (hairy) and can be quite toxic to some individuals. Blooms last 2 to 3 weeks from early to late June but have little or no scent to them.
The Early Coralroot (Northern Coralroot) (Corallorhiza trifida) can be easily identified by the white color on its three lobed lip which sits atop a smooth, leafless greenish-yellow stalk of the same color. It has a paler tubular sheath around the lower parts of the stalk. Growing in clusters of up to 30 stalks, it is found on cool shady soils under conifers (balsam, spruce, pines) or mixed forests with added birch or poplar in early to mid June. Standing at 4 to 8" (10 to 20 cm.), it can be found in locations near Rein Orchids or Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain Orchids. Bright yellow, drooping, fat seed pods in the late summer are more conspicuous than the earlier flowers.
The brightly colored Arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa) or Dragon's Mouth Orchid makes a very brief appearance in early to mid June in fens that are fed with cool running clear water. Although quite common in some years, it can be completely absent for the next one or two years. A short orchid of only 4 to 8" (10 to 20 cm.), it is found in the same growing areas as the Grass Pinks, Rose Pagonias and non-orchid plants such as the Pitcher Plants and occasionally Sundews.
The Grass Pink Orchid (Calopogon tuberosus) has a very bright purple/pink flower with an equally bright yellow stamen and long, grassy-like leaves. It also has a short life cycle that can vary from early June to mid July and is also found in cool water fens where it prefers bright sunlight. A relatively rare but tall orchid at 10 to 24" (25 to 60 cm.) with several flowers opening from the bottom up on one long, woody stem, several will be found growing in close proximity. Its "neighbors" include Arethusas, Rose Pagonias and Pitcher Plants.
The Rose Pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides) or Snake Mouth Orchid is a very delicate and beautiful but rank smelling flower, similar to the odor of a snake. The short lived pink flowers appear for only four to seven days from early June to mid July. Extremely rare overall but abundant where found, it also inhabits fens and peat bogs and prefers bright sunlight. One of the shortest bog orchids, it is only 3 to 8" (8 to 20 cm.) and has just one leaf, similar to the Lily of the Valley, growing from the bottom of each stem. Its "neighbors" include Arethusas, Grass Pinks, Sundews and Pitcher Plants.
The Long Bracted Green Orchid (Coeloglossum viride) is probably the greenest of all the green orchids with the stems, leaves and tiny flowers all being of the same dark and rich green. This plant, at 25 cm., is typical of the 15 to 40 cm. size range. Flowers are very inconspicuously tucked close to the stalk where the obovate leaves wrap around it. The lip of the flower is quite noticeable and extends horizontally out from the base of the flower. Located in rich woods of both deciduous and coniferous trees, it usually flowers in early to mid June. Like the Early Coralroot, the seed pods (seen here in early July) are more obvious than the flowers.
The Showy Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium reginae) is the largest and showiest of the wild orchids. The name, reginae means "queen" and is indicative of this beautiful plant. The "wings" are white with the bulb being colored with pale to deep pink stripes, often almost completely coloring the large bulb of the "slipper". The white, triangular stamen is tipped in yellow and is sterile. Both the flower and stalk are waxy in appearance but are covered in fine hair which some people find to be irritating and occasionally toxic. Being extremely fragrant, it is often located by smell alone before the flowers and tall stems of 18 to 30" (50 to 80 cm.) give it away. Several deeply ribbed, bright green leaves spiral up the stalk. This orchid can be very prolific one year and then be completely absent for up to 4 or 5 years. It grows in boggy cedar swamps in close proximity to cold bottom fens. Occasionally, there may be 2 flowers on the same stalk. With a short life span of only a few days, flowers appear in late June through early July.
The White Adder's Mouth Orchid (Malaxis monophyllos) has one of the smallest flowers of all the orchids. There can be up to 25 or 30 of them evenly spaced along a 6 to 8" (15 to 20 cm.) stalk. Found mainly in boggy cedar swamps and fens, they can be easily overlooked since their green, fleshy stalks and flowers blend in with the sphagnum moss they live in. A single, waxy and solitary, deep-veined leaf sheaths the stem part way up the stalk. Flowers appear in late June through early July.
The almost inconspicuous Heart Leaved Twayblade (Listera cordata) derives its name from the horizontally-flat, heart-shaped pair of opposing leaves half way up its pubescent (hairy) stalk. The flowers (3 to 5 mm long) can vary from white to slight tinges of either green or purple (seen here) and only last from 3 to 5 days. The seed pods, which resemble tiny balloons, form quickly after pollination of the flowers. At 2 to 4" (5 to 10 cm.), it is one of the smallest orchids and grows in "cold bottom" fens with sphagnum moss areas under cedar and spruce trees near Rein Orchids and Lesser Rattlesnake Plantains. Although it is extremely rare, it can be found from early June through mid July.
The Menzies' Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) has a basal rosette of 3 or 4 oblong leaves, easily distinguishing it from other Plantains although it has the least-marked checker-board leaves. Common to shady areas under cedar and spruce trees, it can be nearly unnoticeable if found in thick sphagnum ground cover. Three to ten greenish-white flowers appear to be growing only on one side of the hairy stalk which can be from 4 to 10" (10 to 25 cm.) in height. The flowers last quite a while from late June through mid to late July.
The Purple Fringed Orchid (Platanthera psycodes) most closely resembles a Hyacinth flower in both appearance and fragrance. Each dime-sized, lilac colored flower on the stalk has noticeably fringed three-parted lips and the leaves are long and grassy shaped. At an overall height of 6 to 18" (15 to 50 cm.), it is easily recognized in open wet meadows, gravel swamps and is rarely seen growing very far from open water. Flowers appear from late June through mid to late July. Occasionally, a very light colored (white) version of the flower can be found.
The Tall White Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatata) is the only known snow white orchid in this area. Reaching a height of 8 to 24" (20 to 70 cm.), it can be found in bright sunlight and stands out against the green vegetation. Extremely rare overall, it can be found in fens in close proximity to pitcher plants and Sundews. It is also a very fragrant flower and smells like vanilla or cinnamon. Note: the wide base of the lip of the flower is uncharacteristic of most orchids. Flowers appear from late June to mid to late July.
The Spotted Coralroot Orchid (Corallorhiza maculata) shows the greatest variety in stem and leaf color of all the local orchids. It can range from orange-yellow to brown to pinkish-purple which is most common in this area. Overall, all orchids are rare but this species is quite common and ranges from Newfoundland to southern B.C. to northern Mexico. Growing in dryer soils under mixed conifers and deciduous trees. the tall, smooth, leafless stalks of 15 to 50 cm. (6 to 18 inches) have tubular sheaths on its lower parts and flowers of the same or darker matching colors. The pure white lips of the spur-less flower have dark pink spots, hence the name. After flowering, the drooping seed capsules are quite obvious.
The Tall Northern Green Orchid (Platanthera huronensis) is very similar to the Tall White Bog Orchid except that these flowers are a rich greenish-white instead of pure white and it has a different shaped lip. It also has that fragrant vanilla/cinnamon aroma but the plant itself, is not a common sighting. Reaching a height of up to 3 feet (1 meter), each plant can have 1 to 10 stalks growing from the same base and these stalks are deeply veined and very dark green in color. The hardy and robust plants prefer to grow in moist to wet conditions that are at least partially shaded and protected from strong winds. They can bloom starting in late June but are usually found from early to mid July.
The Green Adder's Mouth Orchid (Malaxis unifolia) is a very small and rare orchid that can only be found in acidic spots in fens and other clean water locations, usually growing at the water's edge on humps of sphagnum moss that face the sun. Although the whole plant barely reaches 4 to 7" (10 to 20 cm.), it can easily be identified by the light green, flat-topped raceme of extremely small blooms (perhaps 40 to 50) that span 1/2" (1 cm.) in width. The single leaf appears as overly large for the small plant and sheaths the smooth stalk about half way up it. It blooms from early to mid July.
The Blunt Leaf Rein Orchid (Platanthera obtusata) is a very small and well camouflaged orchid and one of the few known to be pollinated by mosquitoes. Extremely rare, it is found in "cold bottom" soils close to cold water fens and in proximity to the shade from white cedars & black spruce and near trailing plants such as wintergreen, twinflower or creeping snowberry. At 2 to 8" (5 to 20 cm.), it has a smooth stalk, one basal leaf wrapped around the stalk and up to a dozen pale green flowers from early to late July.
The Lesser Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid (Goodyera ripens) has a distinctively different and much smaller dark green basal leaf group with pale, chlorophyll-lacking borders than either the Menzie's or Checkered Rattlesnake Orchids. It closely resembles a snake's skin pattern and prefers a much damper "cold bottom" location than these other two. At a maximum height of 4 to 6" or 10 to 15 cm., it is the smallest of the Rattlesnakes. Small white hairy flowers tinged in green or brownish-pink on a pubescent (hairy) stalk appear from mid-July through mid-August. It is found in cool sphagnum moss under spruce or cedar trees and near Twin Flowers, Rein Orchids and Heart Leaved Twayblades.
The Club Spur Orchid (Platanthera clavellata) is easily identified by the club-shaped spur of this small unassuming orchid (height of 4 to 10" or 10 to 25 cm.) that thrives in large colonies in acid soils of sphagnum moss, white cedar, black spruce and tamarack trees. A single leaf, half way up the stem and a few smaller leaflets farther up combined with a bright green-yellow flower head also make it easy to recognize. It's "neighbors" includes the sundews, pitcher plants and occasionally the Pink Lady's Slipper. The horizontal flowers on each stem can be seen from mid July through mid August.
The Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid (Goodyera tesselata) is a late blooming flower found in dry acidic soils consisting of decaying pine and/or spruce needles in old growth forests. The checkered leaves are a mix of light and dark bluish-green and usually appear in groups of four that surround a short hairy stalk of the same color. The noticeably hairy cluster of very tiny greenish/bluish/white flowers appear from late July through early September and will last for about three weeks. The basal rosette is 1 to 2" (3 to 5 cm.) wide and stems are 4 to 8" (10 to 20 cm.) tall. Plentiful in some years, it is a sporadic orchid that may not appear again for two to four years.
The Round Leaf Orchid (Platanthera orbiculata) has two waxy green leaves the size of small plates laying flat on the ground at the base of a very long stem. Rare and distinctive with leaves, stem and flowers (at a height of 6 to 20" or 15 to 50 cm.) all of the same shade of green, it can be found in very acidic soils of deep pine needles in shady undisturbed old growth forests. It will grow only leaves in the first year, followed by leaves and the flower stalk in the second year and then nothing appears in the third year before re-emerging the next year. Leaves appear in mid to late June with white-tinged, green flowers emerging in mid July through mid to late August. Note the long thin lip.
Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) is a very common orchid found throughout the area in gravel roadsides, sandy areas, dense pine forests or occasionally in lawns and gardens. Dark veined leaves are smooth underneath and slightly hairy above. The tip of the stalk often bends over and downward while in bud but will straighten to 12 to 24" (30 to 65 cm) when flowering. Several flowers along a purplish stalk are pale green to light pink with a greenish lip occasionally tinged with dark purple or red. Each of the short stemmed flowers sit over a long thin bract off the stalk. Flowers appear from late July through mid August. It can grow as a single stalk or in groups of up to four or five plants.
The Nodding Ladies' Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes cernua) is probably the rarest of all the orchids in not only the Temagami region but throughout Ontario as well as most of Canada. Growing only on the sunny north shore of a fast flowing creek and in very shallow soil conditions that are completely submerged during the peak flow periods of the spring run-off, about 75 to 100 of these small orchids were observed along a 50 yard (meter) length of the shoreline. They can usually be found in open moist areas with neutral or slightly acidic soils. Varying in height from 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm), a spiralled spike of delicate white flowers with a butterscotch/vanilla aroma is densely wrapped around a hairy (pubescent) stem that is smooth below the flowers. The long and thin leaves, growing mostly at the lower portions of the stem appear to wither as soon as the flowers begin to bloom in late August to mid September, making it the last orchid to flower in this area.
Although the Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea) is not an orchid, I have included it in here with them because it is common to find it growing in bogs and fens alongside several of the orchids mentioned above. It is one of the few carnivorous plants found throughout the Temagami area and is approximately 4 to 6" (10 to 15 cm.) in length and 1 1/2 to 2" (3 to 5 cm.) in diameter. Found from early June through freeze-up in the autumn, the base of the plant (flower stalk is not shown) fills with rain water and the interior walls of the bulb secrete a slippery substance with a pleasant aroma to which small insects are attracted. After entering the bulb, they're unable to climb back up the slippery walls and perish in the watery liquid where they're dissolved and absorbed.
Another carnivorous non-orchid found in clean-water bogs and fens, the Sundew (members of the Drosera family) can be found growing just at the waterline or within clusters of green or red sphagnum moss in near proximity to the Pitcher Plant and some of the orchids mentioned above. Although rare overall, when located, there are literally thousands of them and they appear as a red line hugging the waterline and are approximately 1 1/2 to 3" (3 to 8 cm.) high with each plant having a diameter of the same measurements. Those found dispersed in the patches of red sphagnum are much smaller at a height and diameter of 1 to 1 1/2" (2 to 3 cm.). This photo of the Spatulate Leaved Sundew (Drosera intermedia) is a close-up of the plant where the soft and sticky cactus-like needles produce a sweet smelling substance that small insects are attracted to and are then dissolved and absorbed by the host. The other local sundew is the Round Leaved Sundew (D. rotundifolia) and both are soft fleshy plants, found from early June through autumn.
|
Latin Name |
Common Name |
Photo |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
|
Cypripedium |
Pink |
|
Late |
Mid |
|||
|
Cypripedium |
Small Yellow |
|
Early |
||||
|
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens |
Large Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid |
 |
Early |
||||
|
Corallorhiza |
Early (Northern) |
|
Early |
||||
|
Arethusa |
Arethusa |
|
Mid |
||||
|
Calopogon |
Grass Pink |
|
Early |
Mid |
|||
|
Pogonia |
Rose Pogonia |
|
Early |
|
|||
|
Coleoglossum |
Long Bracted |
|
Early |
|
|||
|
Cypripedium |
Showy |
|
Late |
Early |
|||
|
Malaxis |
White |
|
Late |
Early |
|||
| Listera cordata |
Heart Leaved |
|
Late |
Mid |
|||
|
Goodyera |
Menzies' |
|
Late |
Mid |
|||
|
Platanthera |
Purple Fringed |
|
Late |
Mid |
|||
|
Platanthera |
Tall White Bog |
|
Late |
Mid |
|||
|
Corallorhiza |
Spotted |
|
Early |
||||
| Platanthera huronensis | Tall Northern Green Orchid |
 |
Mid to Late |
||||
|
Malaxis unifolia |
Green Adder's Mouth Orchid |
 |
Early to Late |
||||
|
Platanthera |
Blunt Leaf |
|
Early |
||||
|
Goodyera |
Lesser |
|
Mid |
Mid |
|||
|
Platanthera |
Club Spur |
|
Mid |
Mid |
|||
|
Goodyera |
Checkered |
|
Mid |
Mid |
|||
|
Platanthera |
Round Leaf |
|
Mid |
Mid |
|||
|
Epipactis |
Helleborine |
|
Late |
Mid |
|||
|
Spiranthes |
Nodding |
|
Late |
Mid |
|||
|
Sarracenia |
Pitcher Plant |
|
Early |
All |
All |
Late |
|
|
Drosera |
Sundew |
|
Early |
All |
All |
Early |
2005 ORCHID REPORT.
In 2005, I had positively identified seven different species of native northern orchids and at that time, I was certain that there are at least five more orchids that would be located in future field trips in coming years if the growth conditions were ideal for those select species.
2006 ORCHID REPORT.
In the summer of 2006, I found two more species that were not part of the previous year's list of suspected orchids: the Bog Orchid was first observed on July 13 and then the Rein Orchid was found on July 19. On July 23, I found several of the club spur orchids (one of the suspected five other orchids) which had not been visible a few days earlier. This brings the total identified species of orchids in the Temagami area to ten, as of today. The search continues for the other four.
2007 ORCHID REPORT.
Two more unknown orchids were located on July 8, 2007. After close examination, they were identified as the Heart Leaved Twayblade (at 3 inches tall) and the Menzies' Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid. The latter was first believed to be a Checkered Rattlesnake with poor leaf markings but was soon distinguished from its close relative. On July 24, 2007 another new orchid was located which was determined to be a Lesser Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid with its distinctive "snake-skin" pattern leaves. Also noted at this time were budding Helleborine orchids which were photographed in early August. This brings the total to 17 identified species of native northern wild orchids. There are still two species known to grow in the Temagami area that I have not been able to locate. Maybe next year.
It is now July 3 and new species of orchids appear every time I get a chance to explore the forest. Exquisite in both size and fragrance, the Showy Lady's Slipper was very obvious in places that I've never seen it before. An unpredictable orchid, it can lay dormant for up to 4 or 5 years before suddenly appearing in thick masses. It was known to be one of the "usual suspects". An unexpected find, growing amongst the countless Lady's Slippers, was the new-to-me White Adder's Mouth Orchid. Thirteen down and still 2 known species to locate.
It's spring, 2007. I have literally stumbled upon another new (to me) species of orchids today, June 9. While searching (without any luck) for a couple of different species that are reportedly in the area, I located a small but rather dense patch of Early Coralroot orchids. Three more species to go.
2008 ORCHID REPORT.
Just a few days after Labor Day, I received a phone call from a friend who had seen several white flowers that he thought to be an unknown species of orchids located along a creek in the Temagami area. On September 15, I was able to allocate an afternoon to seek out these flowers and found them to be a very rare orchid not only in Temagami or in Ontario but in most of Canada! It was the unmistakable Nodding Ladies' Tresses and there were countless white flowered specimens along a 50 yard stretch of that creek. It is the last orchid to bloom in Ontario bringing it to a total of 20 different species that I have identified over the years. It has been another great summer with three new species being identified. As for last year's 2 species known to grow in this area, they are still waiting to be photographed and documented at a later date.
Spring 2008. Due to a colder than normal May and early June, everything is 2 to 3 weeks later than normal this year. However, after much searching, on June 20 I have located countless Small Yellow Lady's Slippers which are catalogued below. With their odor of rich vanilla flavor coupled with a light breeze, they were easy to locate in damp acidic areas under birch and spruce. The following day, June 21, another new species was seen in flower that wasn't noticed yesterday. This time it was the Large Yellow Lady's Slipper. This brings the total number of identified wild orchid species to 19.
2009 ORCHID REPORT.
The spring of 2009 arrived two weeks later than normal and hence, almost all living organisms are running a couple weeks behind schedule, even in mid-summer. Therefore, I'd suggest adjusting the chart at the end of this page by a couple weeks to obtain the best flowering times for various orchids. Once everything began their flowering cycles, there was a profusion of orchids in places never noted before. The early Pink Ladies' Slippers had the deepest shades of pink that I have ever seen and the photos were updated to reflect this color change. Early Coralroots were taller, brighter yellow and were found in several new locations. Heart Leaved Twayblades were photographed during their very brief, one- or two-day flowering cycle for the first time ever.
2010 ORCHID REPORT.
It is getting harder and harder to locate, photograph and document more new species of orchids but perseverance has paid off well. The Twayblade flowers were the first "new" findings and then on July 27, what was first though to be a new location for the White Bog Orchid actually turned out to be my first glimpse of a Tall Northern Green Orchid with deep green flowers on a pair of 30" stalks. More of these majestic beauties have been located around the Temagami area. On July 30, another new species of orchids, the Green Adder's Mouth was identified which now brings the total to twenty two different orchids growing in the Temagami area. Rein Orchids, previously thought to be rare to this area can be located quite easily in most "cold bottom" spruce swamps this year. Lesser Rattlesnake Plantains are also very abundant this summer and their colors are very rich and deep. Club Spur flowers, previously seen in fairly tight groups in select locations can be found across a much wider range this year but each of the flower heads are not as large nor as dense as previously noted and appear thin and lanky. The Purple Fringed Orchids, always a vibrant deep purple were observed with a few of the stalks having white flowers which is just a color variation from the normal purple.
July 11, 2010. I have had several photo tours during the past week for orchids and at the present time, there are several (perhaps a dozen or more) species in flower. The Arethusas, Early Coral Root and Heart-leaved Twayblades are long gone now as are all of the local species of Lady Slippers including the pink, showy and both the small and large yellow ones. However, there are still some Rose Pagonias and several Grass Pinks around. In maximum bloom are the Purple Fringed, the Tall White Bog Orchids, the Round Leaved Orchids, the Blunt Leaf Rein Orchids and the Northern Green Orchids. Club Spurs are just poking through the sphagnum and the Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain are up and showing good bud formation. I haven't seen any Menzies or Lesser Rattlesnakes but I would imagine they could be found with a little more ground work. Helleborines are reaching full bud stage and their stalks should be straightening out and bursting into bloom in the next week or so. I haven't had the chance to check on the Nodding Ladies Tresses or Green Adder Mouths yet. Noticeably absent are the White Adder Mouths but perhaps I have just missed them. Overall, it has been another great summer for locating all of these little beauties now that the black flies are gone and mosquitoes & deer flies are starting to disappear.
On June 8, 2010, I was told of an all-white colored Pink Lady's Slipper blooming among several pink ones deep in an area of old growth red pines. After memorizing the "verbal map directions", I grabbed the camera, headed out and found it exactly where I was told it would be. White ones are extremely rare and now this beauty can be seen beside the common pink ones below. Thanks Wendy.
2011 ORCHID REPORT.
July 3, 2011. While riding my ATV on a local forest trail to access a back lake for an afternoon's fishing, I came across a plant in the middle of the trail that was obviously an orchid. Upon closer examination, it was guessed to be a Long Bracted Green Orchid that had obviously passed the best flower stage and was well on its way to seed pods. Checking my reference books back at the lodge, my hunch was confirmed. Although the photo isn't the best possible, I have posted it anyway and will have to wait until next spring for a better one. The new total species to date is now twenty-four.
June 13, 2011. I've just finished my year's first orchid tour today and the overall results were less than anticipated. In the drier soils of the White Bear Forest, there were noticeably less Pink Lady Slippers than in previous years, although they showed some of the deepest and brightest pinks in their "slipper" ever. Other species that should have been up and either in or close to bloom were barely through the ground. Similarly, in the bogs and fens, all orchid species were either not showing yet or were 10 days to 2 weeks behind schedule for normal bloom dates. Only a few of the Arethusas were found to be in bloom. Noticeably absent were the Grass Pinks, Rose Pagonias, Tall White Bog Orchids, Tall Northern Green Orchids, Heart Leaved Twayblades, Large Yellow Lady Slippers, Round Leaf Orchids and Showy Lady Slippers. For anyone wanting to view the many species of wild orchids, I'd suggest allowing 10 days to 2 weeks of extra time this year.
2012 ORCHID REPORT.
June 3, 2012. This year has basically been a repeat of last year's first tour. We've had an extremely dry spring so far which has created almost desert-like conditions in the forest and there is an obvious lack of any greenery yet. I had my first guided tour on May 30 and we didn't see even one spring mushroom and only found 5 single plants of pink ladies' slippers and another group of 6 plants where we should have observed literally hundreds of them. The basal rosettes of the checkered rattlesnake plantain orchids that I had noticed a month ago while trimming brush and fallen trees off the walking trails had all dried up and died so there weren't even any of these showing now. On a happier note, we have received over 3" of rain since then (which has lifted the cross-Ontario fire ban) so we should be seeing new growth shortly. I haven't been through the bogs and fens yet to notice how those orchids are coming along. It would be safe to assume that all species will be later than normal again this year before they reach their prime flowering stage.
It is now late July and there has been significantly less orchids this summer. Several species were completely absent and others were in fewer numbers. All were later than usual for their best viewing times. Hopefully, the late summer and fall orchids will be as common and plentiful as in normal years.
2013 ORCHID REPORT.
July 2, 2013. Hoping to see it emerging, I went back again today but was disappointed once more that it hasn't emerged yet. I'll give it another couple weeks and if it hasn't come up by then, I'll just write it off for this year also.
June 12, 2013. As you may have read above, 2 years ago I found a Long Bracted Green Orchid that had gone to see in early July. Last year, I returned to this area in mid June and it hadn't even broke through the ground yet but being a dry year, I thougth this may have had something to do with it not growing. This year was a later than normal spring and today I see that it hasn't come up yet.
June 4, 2013. It has been a late spring this year and all plant life is about 2 or 3 weeks later than normal in the forest. The orchids are no exception. Pink lady slippers are just starting to appear now. The location that has the single white variety has 2 stalks this year for the first time ever.
2014 ORCHID REPORT.
Saturday, August 2, 2014. At the present time, the Purple Fringed orchids are in full bloom and they have a rich color to them this year. Although they are't as plentiful as in the past, there are good showings in several locations. Club Spur, Tall White and Rein orchids are still in bloom but the Grass Pinks and Rose Pagonias are all but finished for another summer. I'm expecting them to be in bloom for another week to ten days before going to seed.
Saturday, July 12, 2014. The Pink and both large and small Yellow Lady Slippers have dried up and gone to seed now. There are a very few Arethusas (Dragon's Mouth) remaining but countless Grass Pinks and Rose Pogonias can be found everywhere. This has been one of the better years in memory for these two species. There are a few of the large Showy Lady Slippers left but only in shady areas. New emergents today inluded the Tall White Bog Orchid, Club Spur, Blunt Leaf Rein and Purple Fringed Orchids. All four are in bud with their characteristic colors barely showing yet. Within a week, they will be prime. Noticeably absent were any sign of Early Coralroot, Twayblades, Menzies, Northern Green and Long Bracted Green Orchids. A few Checkered Rattlesnake Plantains were sighted but none were showing a flower stem.
Friday, June 27, 2014. They are finally here! I've been anxiously waiting for the spring orchids to appear and they are just coming on strong now. The pink slippers are all but gone, as noted last week, but we had little difficulty finding the small yellow lady slippers. The white form of the Pinks was again photographed in the only known location that I've ever located them in and then late in the week I found another pair of white slippers where I've never seen it before and it's fairly close to home. For the bog (damp area) orchids, we had a wonderful day today finding several species including Arethusas, Grass Pinks, Rose Pagonias, Large Yellow Lady Slippers, the beautiful Showy Lady Slippers and even 2 more locations of the Large Yellows where I have never observed them before. Conspicuously absent were the Heart Leaf Twayblades. Early Coralroot, Menzies, Tall Whites, Northern Greens and Round Leaf orchids. I'm doubting if they will even show this year when they haven't even started any leaf growth by now. Hopefully, the Club Spurs, Spotted Coralroots and White Adder's Mouths will show later this summer.For the non-orchids, the Pitcher plants and Sundew are in full bloom and the Buckbean is almost finished. For anyone wishing to observe and photograph these, I'd suggest that the next 7 to 14 days will be their peak bloom time and after that, they will wither and die quickly.
Friday, June 20, 2014. As I mentioned in the former posting, everything is behind schedule this year and orchids are still slow to appear. Pink lady slippers are still seen in most places but they are on their way out for this summer. Small yellow lady slippers aren't far behind them but are still bright yellow. Dragon mouth orchids (Arethusa) are in full bloom and Rose begonias are just coming on. The Grass pinks are just coming through the ground and should be in bloom in a week. Ditto for the Showy lady slippers that are 18" tall now and should be in bloom within a week. There isn't any sign of the Tall white, Early coral root or Tall northern green orchids which should be up by this time of early summer. For the non-orchids commonly found in the same locations, the pitcher plants are just coming into full bloom and the small red Sundews are everywhere and in full bloom. Both will stay like this for most of the summer. The Buckbean has finished flowering in most locations and they now sport bright lime-green seed pods. Black flies are almost gone for this year but there seems to be an over-abundance of mosquitoes everywhere.
June 8, 2014. It's been an unusually late spring this year and everything is running 2 to 3 weeks later than normal. Both the Pink and Small Yellow Lady Slippers are just coming out in bloom now. Not as plentiful as in some years, the Pinks can be located in old growth areas with lots of pine needles on the ground. In the next few days, I'll be making the trip to check on the white variation of them as well as looking for the Long Bracted Green Orchid that has not emerged and flowered since I found the stem with seed pods on it about 3 years ago.
Sunday, May 25, 2014. We have had an unusually long and late winter this year and everything is way behind schedule for spring emergence times. Pink Lady Slippers which are usually up by early May and in flower by now still have not poked through the ground. I don't expect them to bloom before the middle of June this year. I had a group tour in the White Bear Forest last weekend and the highlight of the trip for the kids was a snowball fight in the forest. This past weekend on another tour, the snow has finally melted but there's still little sign of any plants growing. I'm in there on a regular basis and will post any findings here.
2015 ORCHID REPORT.
Sunday, June 7, 2015. Everything is about a week later than normal this spring and the pink Lady Slippers have just starting blooming this past week. There still isn't enough color in the slipper to see if there are any white ones showing yet. We have just completed an extensive brushing project and all the trails in the White Bear Forest are now easily accessible to hikers and photographers. Docks have been checked and repaired where necessary. Trail signage is currently being updated and coordinated to the new free hand-out map of the forest trail system available at several locations locally including the Chamber's information booth and from here at the lodge.
2016 ORCHID REPORT.
Thursday, June 30, 2016. Again this year, everything is running a week or two behind the normal bloom time for most species. There were far fewer Pink Lady Slippers this year than in several past years. This also was found for the Arethusas, Grass Pinks and Rose Pagonias in the various fens and bogs where they are usually quite common. The tall Showy Lady Slippers are the exception with good showing in all locations, but again, they are slow coming out and are just reaching full bloom right now. The Large Yellow Lady Slippers have peaked and are somewhat few in numbers also. I haven't seen any sign of the Small ones anywhere. Early Coralroot has peaked and gone to seed already. On a brighter note, the black flies are 90% gone but the pesky deer flies and mosquitoes are as thick as usual.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017. The weather finally cleared up enough today for me to make my first visit of the year into my favorite orchid fen. There are very few signs of orchids, mainly because of the abnormal late spring this year. However, I did find the Large Yellow Lady Slipper and this year it has 3 flowers on 2 stems in full bloom. Farther on, it was a surprise to find a single Small Yellow Lady Slipper that has never been observed in this fen in the past. There were very few Arethusa out yet and no other purple orchids showing anywhere. The Showy Lady Slippers are growing in much fewer numbers than previous years and none are even close to bloom. It will probably be 10 to 15 days before these flowers emerge. That is all I found for orchids with nothing else even showing as being through the ground yet. For non-orchids, the Labrador Tea is in full bloom and the Buckbean flowers are all but finished with most of them already going to seed. Pitcher plants and low-bush cranberry are in full bloom. The biggest and most welcome surprise of the day was when I was almost back to the road and found 2 stalks of Showy Lady Slippers growing, not in a black spruce/cedar swamp, but in dry high ground that receives plenty of partially shaded sunlight. This is not a common location for this full-shade loving plant of cool wet bogs and fens. I will be watching it closely over the next few weeks to document its progression. Hopefully, I can get some time between now and the weekend to walk the trails of the White Bear Forest and look for the orchids that thrive in these drier needle-covered locations.
2017 ORCHID REPORT.
Saturday, June 10, 2017. We're having another late year for everything that grows anywhere, including black flies, wild mushrooms, our gardens and of course, our beautiful wild spring orchids. I haven't been out looking for them yet but other people have told me that the Pink Lady Slippers showed up a couple days ago. I can't remember the last year that I've seen this many black flies and mosquitoes in the yard and in the forest so bring netting or repellant with you on when venturing on any trips into the bush. As soon as I get some time to "feed the bugs", I'll have another update on what's out there in the bogs and fens.
2018 ORCHID REPORT.
Saturday, September 1, 2018. I know it's early but the vast majority of orchids are finished flowering and have all gone to seed now. The last common orchid, the Hellborine, is loaded with huge seed pods this year. The only other orchid that I've found to flower this late in the season is the Nodding Ladies Tress and I haven't had the time to make the trip to see if it even flowered this year. There is one location near the south end of Lake Temagami where it is locally common but the only known spot close to here where I was surprised to see it growing last summer didn't have any plants this year. This will probably be my last report on this page for the year. Thanks to everyone who followed it and I will be back next spring to do it all over again.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018. If anyone has never see the tall beautiful Helleborine, they are plentiful everywhere this year and are in full bloom this week. Most everything else has completed their life cycle early and gone to seed now. Lady tresses are yet to bloom.
Sunday, July 22, 2018. Most of the early spring orchids have now completed their flower cycle and have gone to seed. This included all the pink and yellow lady slippers and Arethusas, or Dragon Mouth orchids. There are still a good showing of Grass Pinks and Rose Begonias, which is not normal as they are usually a short blooming plant. A few days ago, I found only one Tall White Bog orchid and it wasn't very tall. I have not located any Northern Green orchids, Club Spurs, Tway Blades and very few of the Plantain orchids with only a few of the Checkered varieties being found anywhere. Helleborine are quite common and are just straightening up so they should be in bloom later this week. Purple Fringed orchids are at peak bloom right now but are not found in the usual numbers of past years. Early Coralroots are long gone and I haven't looked for the Spotted Coralroot but with the dry summer we are experiencing, I doubt if they will be found. Last summer, I built a wire mesh cage to put over a Round Leaf orchid to protect it from being eaten by rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels and it did quite well. This year, it has grown again under the cage and is in full bloom right now also. Please remember that everywhere in the north is under a complete fire ban due to the extremely dry conditions and high winds that we are seeing this year. No open fires or fireworks are permitted. Please carry all cigarette butts out of the forest with you if you are a smoker.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Most of the Pink Lady Slippers have finished flowering now and are going to seed. Arethusas are also finished. There are real good showings of Rose Pagonias and Grass Pink orchids and they should still be in bloom for another week or more.The Showy Lady Slippers are in full bloom with others in bud that should open over the next few days so they will be around for another 10 days to 2 weeks. I haven't seen any sign of the green Northern Bog Orchids, all the Plantains, tall White Bog Orchids or Club Spurs so I doubt if we will see any of the first three at any time this year. The Round Leaf Orchid that I placed the cage over is doing quite well and is just coming into bloom this week. Ditto for the Purple Fringed Orchid. Small Yellow Lady Slippers are finished but the Large Yellows are in full bloom. Heart Leaved Twayblades should be up by now but I haven't seen any of these tiny orchids yet. Remember that we had a late spring and, so far, all the orchids are 2 weeks later than nornal this year.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018. It's another year of a later than norrmal spring. I've completed the trail clearing in the White Bear Forest (on the trails that I use most often) and there's a real good showing of pink Lady Slippers showing already, along with the 2 white variants of this species. The Round Lead Orchid that I put a wire cage ove last year to protect it from hungry rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks is already showing the typical pair of small round basal leaves so I'm confident it will be a beauty again in another month or so. I've checked a few places known to have various Plantains but with the late cold spring, it's still too early to see any growth there yet.
2019 ORCHID REPORT.
Thursday, August 22, 2019. Some Hellborine can still be found in bloom but most have gone to seed. I haven't see and Lady Tresses yet but they should be out there as the latest blooming orchids in this area. Overall for the season, it was less satisfying than most years due to the late spring start for all orchids and then the very dry conditions for the summer growing conditions didn't help either. I did not locate any new-to-me varities again this year.
Friday, August 9, 2019. Most of the summer orchids have now flowered and are going to seed. The Round Leaf Orchid was well into the seed pod stage during a trip through the forest this past week and the Purple Fringed Orchid was still in full bloom. Hellborine are smaller than normal this summer and I think that can be due to a lack of rain until earlier this week when we got 2 good rains of 1.5 inches and over 2 inches a few days later. They were welcomed rains for the entire area but too late to help a lot of plantlife, especially wild orchids.
Saturday, July 27, 2019. All of the Lady Slippers including both the pink and yellow ones have dried up and gone to seed now. Arethusa are also gone but the Grass Pinks and Dragon's Mouth were alive and well as of a few days ago. I only found 1Tall Northern Green Orchid and it's gone to seed. The White Bog Orchids, Twayblades, Club Spurs, Rein Orchids and both Adder's Mouth never showed this year. Plantains, although scarce, are extremely smaller than normal. After checking all the usual locations for Round Leaf Orchids, I have found only one plant but it was doing real well and in full bloom a few days ago. There are lots of Purple Fringed Orchids along the usual creeks, all at the water's edge. The helleborine growing in my yard are small but coming along nicely.
Sunday, July 14, 2019. This is the latest that I've ever seen orchids coming into flower in all the years that I've been actively looking for these small beauties. Most varieties that should have been prime and gone before the middle of June are just now reaching maturity. These include the Arethusa, or Dragon's Mouth, Grass Pinks, Rose Pagonia, Large Yellow Lady Slipper and the giant Showy Lady Slipper which can all be found in bogs and fens.... where there's lots of mosquitoes to join you. On drier ground, the small pink Lady Slippers have finished, as have the small Yellow Lady Slippers. Tall Northern Green orchids are up and should be in bloom in a week or more. I haven't seen any signs of the white Bog Orhids, Club Spurs or Heart Leaf Twayblades, all of which are usually in bloom now. The only Round Leaf Orchid found in the White Bear Forest is up and was just showing good buds a few days ago so it should be in bloom later this week. The Early Coral Root never showed this spring at all. I'm still looking for a Long Bracted Green Orchid for a photo to add to the page so if anyone finds this rarety, please contact me immediately. Adder's Mouth, all the Plantains, Purple Fringed, Coral Roots and other will probably be late to show this year also. I do have a few Hellborine that are through the ground in the yard so they will be here eventually.
Sunday, June 16, 2019. Due to a near-record late spring, all plant life is just starting to show a bit of green in the bush over the last week or so. Orchids are no different with the first sightings of the Pink Lady Slippers popping up a couple days ago, or about 3 weeks later than normal. I think it would be safe to assume that the rest of the varieties of orchids will be at least a couple weeks behind schedule for most of the summer.
2020 ORCHID REPORT.
Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Orchids are winding down now that the warmer parts of summer have passed. There are still showings of Helleborine and Ladies Tresses. Overall, it was a poorer year for the number of species that we usually locate in all the regular places. No shows included the Club spurs, Twayblades, Tall Northern Green Orchids and most, if not all, of the Plantains. I did find 3 or 4 small plants of Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain but the diameter of each of them was less than an inch.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020. I didn't realize that I have not entered any orchid data so far this year. My apologies for this slip in thought. Overall, it was a much slower year for most varieties and they seem to have showed earier than normal this year. Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain, which are an annual standard are very rare and extremely small this year. Most will not be having any flowers. Round Leaf Orchids have finished the flower stage and are now going to seed, two weeks ahead of normal. Even the Helleborine have flowered and gone to seed already, a couple weeks ahead of normal. I can't say with any certainity but we may just be in for an early fall and long winter if this trend continues.
2021 ORCHID REPORT.
Thursday, August 5, 2021.Due to the covid restrictions and a big drop in tours, I haven't been out roaming around the forests and wetlands as much as usual this year. On the days out, I have seen most of the species we have in the Temagami area but quite a few of them are either later than normal or smaller. The large Showy Lady Slippers were very plentiful but Heart Leafed Twayblades and Club Spurs were non-existant. Purple Fringed Orchids should be coming out any time now. Surprisingly, Helleborine are in full bloom now and some have already gone to seen which is 3 to 4 weeks earlier than normal. Could this be a sign of an early winter?
Tuesday, June 22, 2021. We had a much earlier spring than normal this spring but it really didn't affect the orchids as much as I thought it might. There was a noticably less pink color in the Lady Slippers this year but they were blooming at their normal times and are now past prime and starting to wither. I was in my favorite orchid fen this afternoon and saw good showings of Arethusa (Dragon's Mouth), Grass Pinks, Rose Begonias, Large Yellow Lady Slippers and hordes of the big Showy Lady Slippers which are just starting to reach their prime. There were no showings of Club Spurs yet, nor Tall White Bog Orchids, Heart Leaved Twayblades or Northern Green Orchids, all of which are common in sponge-bottom cedar bogs and fens. I was in the White Bear Forest about 10 days ago and the Round Leaf Orchid was doing well with a 6 inch stalk where the flowers will be showing later in the summer. Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain was just coming through the ground and the Pink Lady Slippers were in bud but none had flowers at that time.
2022 ORCHID REPORT.
Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Due to a computer bug, the postings of the sumnmer were not loaded onto this page. I think we have found and removed the culprit. It was a good summer for most orchids although many were a week or two later showing than normal. I didn't get out to explore as much as I would have preferred so I didn't find anything new and surprising to look at. I'm hoping next year will offer me more free time to pursue my favorite hobby and I can agin look for any of the 6 to 10 varieties that I am sure are growing somewhere in the greater Temagami area. I just ask one favor of anyone that is familiar with various orchids: if you see a new one, please, please contact me as soon as possible and then guide me there to verify, photograph and document it. I have photos on this page of the 25 that I have found and I'm certain there could be 6 to 10 more out there somewhere in dry highlands of old growth forests, mixed lowlands and marshes & bogs. Let's find all of them next year!
Wednesday, June 15, 2022. I had the time to make the year's first trip into my favorite orchid fen and there isn't a lot to see yet. The only ones in flower were the Small Yellow Lady Slippers in full bloom while the Large Yellow Lady Slippers are showing a bulb that will probably open by the coming weekend.There were a few Dragon's Mouth (Arethusas) out but the bulk of them are still to come. The Showy Lady Slippers are getting close to 20" in height but there wasn't any bulbs showing yet so I think it will be 1 to 2 weeks before the magnificent flowers will be in bloom. Most of the orchids haven't even sent a stalk up yet. On the plus side, black flies are 95% gone now that the millions of dragon flies are out and about .... and hungry.
Wednesday, June 8, 2022. As you already know, most covid restrictions have been eliminated so orchid tours are available to groups once again this year. Pink Lady Slippers are quite plentiful right now in the drier highland old growth forests. I haven't had time to "explore" the usual hot spots but the huge Showy Lady Slippers should be in bulb by now and flowers will appear shortly in the moist and dark cedar swamps. Check the chart closer to the bottom of this page for approximate prime times for all of the varieties that I have found over the years. I will post my findings as soon as I get a chance to look around.
Check-in times for weekly packages are after 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays and check-out times are before 11:00 a.m. on the following Saturdays. For overnight packages, the same times apply for each day. Please inquire about any variations that can be made to these time schedules.
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Key Benefits
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Free instructional lessons on all guided tours.
Knowledgeable staff to assist you with species identification.
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$40.00 p.p. |
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Cancellations with refunds are accepted up to 30 days before arrival. Service charges may apply.
The final 50% is due 30 days before arrival and there are no refunds after that.
No monetary refunds for early returns on rentals.
Send mail to paradise@onlink.net with questions or comments about this web site.Effective immediately, we are only accepting payment by cash, certified checks or e-transfers. |