Platanthera conspicua

Day trip to the Green Swamp, Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Day trip to the Green Swamp, Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Day trip to the Green Swamp, Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Day trip to the Green Swamp, Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Day trip to the Green Swamp, Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Day trip to the Green Swamp, Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Day trip to Lewis Ocean Bay in Horry County, South Carolina.

Day trip to Lewis Ocean Bay in Horry County, South Carolina.

Day trip to Lewis Ocean Bay in Horry County, South Carolina.

Day trip to Lewis Ocean Bay in Horry County, South Carolina.

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This composite photo shows the putative parent orchids and their progeny. Since both parent species generally bloom about the same time of the year, it is understandable how a pollinator might take pollen from one plant species and deposit it in another plant species of the same genus. The result can be a very handsome hybrid.

On a recent trip to southeastern North Carolina, we saw many orchids and other wildflowers. A group of us met in the Green Swamp Preserve -- a rich, diverse, wild area managed by The Nature Conservancy. Note: This was really a mistake -- I had spent the night in a motel with the air conditioning turned way down. So, when I took the lens out of its case and put it on the camera, it fogged up with condensation. Actually, it's not a bad effect, but I woundn't want to do this very often.

On a recent trip to southeastern North Carolina, we saw many orchids and other wildflowers. A group of us met in the Green Swamp Preserve -- a rich, diverse, wild area managed by The Nature Conservancy. This is a roadside meadow that is mowed a couple of times each year. I appreciate the DOT employees that chose not to mow this partcular part while the orchids were coming up.

On a recent trip to southeastern North Carolina, we saw many orchids and other wildflowers. A group of us met in the Green Swamp Preserve -- a rich, diverse, wild area managed by The Nature Conservancy. This is a roadside meadow that is mowed a couple of times each year. I appreciate the DOT employees that chose not to mow this partcular part while the orchids were coming up.

On a recent trip to southeastern North Carolina, we saw many orchids and other wildflowers. A group of us met in the Green Swamp Preserve -- a rich, diverse, wild area managed by The Nature Conservancy.