Calopogon barbatus (Bearded Grass-pink orchid)

Finally, after 15 years of my looking for the South Carolina occurrence of a particularly rare orchid...

My friend, Jeff Jackson who lives near the Francis Marion National Forest near Charleston, South Carolina and who visits often, messaged me and reported that some Grass-Pink orchids were blooming exactly 4 weeks to the day from a prescribed burn in the forest. He sent me an image, and we both agreed that it was Calopogon multiflorus or Many-flowered Grass-Pink orchid. This is a very rare orchid species that shows up only after a prescribed burn. Our lucky day, for sure! Thank you, Jeff!

To view the full trip report, please go to Jim's Blog.