Crane-fly Orchid
Tipularia discolor
34.14, -84.7
Field Notes
Description:
This is a nice large colony of one of our abundant but over-looked native orchids. I'm on a mission to catch this species while it's blooming this year! Sadly, I saw no seed pods which would give me hope to catch them blooming at this location. It may mean hikers have picked the flowers as this is a highly trafficked area. Why am I keeping an eye out for leaves at this time of year? Answer: The leaves will disappear completely before these begin to bloom.
Habitat:
This orchid is found in moist humus-rich soils of deciduous forest of SE United States along slopes and stream terraces, and in areas with acid soils, such as oak-pine forests.
Notes:
Spotted along the Iron Hill Trail of Red Top Mountain State Park.
Its roots are edible. They are starchy and almost potato-like.
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