Corallorhiza trifida (Early Coralroot)

We left the conference on Friday afternoon and headed out to a wonderful protected site called Wagner Natural Area. It's open to the public, but many just go there for the hike through the woods.

This particular species gets its energy directly from underground fugus, and although it appears to have chlorophyl, it grows in the deep woods.

I've never seen so many orchids in one place. This is just a tease for what's to come...