Take a guess, found in Santa Cruz Mountains

[Amadeus]

I went orchid hunting this weekend (we only take photos and try not to trample anything) and found this isolated population growing on a cliff. I think I know what it is, but I believe some of you would enjoy guessing.

I highly encourage anyone who hasn't yet tried looking for native orchids to do so, it's extremely fun and rewarding.

 

[abax]

I haven't a clue. Maybe a Cyp.? On the other hand, I've never seen a
Cyp. growing on a cliff. I'm intrigued and I wanna see the bloom.

 

[Dido]

Nice pics, but I think not a cyp more plantanthera ore

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Agreed. I just came in from an all day ride up into the local mountains to look for Calanthe seiboldii - found some! :clap:

I'm guessing that is a Piperia species since Platanthera are more in the mountains and the north.

 

[cnycharles]

Looks like one of the fringed orchids though they are all different out west (plus a tasty morel)


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[AdamD]

I had no idea you all had morels out that far west! I thought that was only a midwestern growing species. You learn something new every day.

 

[NYEric]

Dont forget the tasty slug!

 

[Amadeus]

I'm going back to check up on them this weekend. They could be somewhat interesting because of how isolated they are.

Agreed. I just came in from an all day ride up into the local mountains to look for Calanthe seiboldii - found some! :clap:

Proof or it didn't happen! I want to see pics!

I'm guessing that is a Piperia species since Platanthera are more in the mountains and the north.

Yes! I'm pretty sure it's a Piperia. It's probably elegans or elongata.

I had no idea you all had morels out that far west! I thought that was only a midwestern growing species. You learn something new every day.

Yeah, they are rarer out here, but if there's a fire in the right spot they will come up.

Dont forget the tasty slug!

People eat them! Though their defence mechanism is to taste bad.

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

I'm going back to check up on them this weekend. They could be somewhat interesting because of how isolated they are.
Proof or it didn't happen! I want to see pics!

I did take video, but it was so similar to the trip I video taped last year I don't know that I'll bother publishing it again. I was hoping to find new plants in adjacent valleys, and indeed I did find a new clump, but it was out of flower. The place I look for them is on scree slopes that are so vertical you cannot climb, you have to pull yourself up by vines, tree trunks, and bushes. I actually scared myself a few times yesterday since the fall down is absolute. It was fun but exhausting! If you want to see a similar journey (same area), see this video from last year:

The Search for Calanthe Sieboldii