Neottia smallii (Appalachian Twayblade orchid) formerly known as Listera smallii

A few days ago, Walter Ezell and I went up to an area in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, North Carolina to search for the rather elusive Neottia smallii or Appalachian Twayblade orchid. I used the term "elusive" because they are not easy to find. They prefer to grow under the dense, low-hanging branches of Rhododendron maximum or Rosebay Rhododendron -- particularly if the Rhododendron are next to streams. We did manage to find a couple of dozen of the orchids scattered on stream banks in a location just north of an area called the Pink Beds.

We also found a couple of additional wildflowers that were in bloom along the roadside.