Isotria verticillata

[kentuckiense]

Found growing in Cooper's Rock State Forest in West Virginia. The bloom was quite obviously battered by rain, but it was the only one I could find.

 

[SlipperFan]

Really looks like an insect.

 

[paphioboy]

Whoa..!! What's that..?oke: Doesn't even look like a plant to me...

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

A face only a mother could love? :rollhappy: I think this actually is a very stately looking flower in its own way.

I know your frustration. Labor Day Weekend 1994 I found a huge colony of these in Great Smoky Mountains NP. There were hundreds of flowering stems in a very small area in perfect bloom - one problem, no camera! I went back four years later and all I found were half a dozen plants, all but one sterile, and the last flower had faded a short time earlier.

 

[NYEric]

Unusual. I hope they survive at the location. Thanx for posting.

 

[JeanLux]

Very interesting: I WWW ed for other pictures of this species and found they are rather spectacular!! Jean

 

[goldenrose]

Nice shot!
They'd be so easy to miss, a larger colony might make it easier!