M
musiclovertony
Guest
I visited a population of Platanthera praeclara on July 6th. Normally this would be when the first plants were starting to bud (peak season here is July 12th-21st). This has been an unusually warm year, though, so many plants are 2-3 weeks ahead of "schedule." The population I visited was already well past prime. This is perhaps my favorite native MN orchid (I am also partial to Platanthera psycodes).
This plant is a federally listed endangered species. Its habitat is virgin, unplowed, ungrazed (well besides historic natural grazing, of course) tall-grass prairie. Minnesota is the stronghold for the species, as we're fortunate to have a few areas with undisturbed tall-grass prairies that have escaped the plow and cattle.
This particular grassland has been protected from the plow because it is very rocky. There are many rock outcroppings in the prairie. These outcroppings are amazing areas in themselves. They support two species of native cactus as well as rare, threatened, or endangered species. Anyways, onto the pictures...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4773475488/
Note the rock outcroppings evident in the background
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4773476092/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4772839869/in/photostream/
I don't know if it's visible in this smaller size, but if you follow the link and see the full size, you'll note how LONG the nectary is on these orchids. They're pollinated by sphinx moths
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4773477298/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4773473366/
This plant is a federally listed endangered species. Its habitat is virgin, unplowed, ungrazed (well besides historic natural grazing, of course) tall-grass prairie. Minnesota is the stronghold for the species, as we're fortunate to have a few areas with undisturbed tall-grass prairies that have escaped the plow and cattle.
This particular grassland has been protected from the plow because it is very rocky. There are many rock outcroppings in the prairie. These outcroppings are amazing areas in themselves. They support two species of native cactus as well as rare, threatened, or endangered species. Anyways, onto the pictures...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4773475488/
Note the rock outcroppings evident in the background
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4773476092/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4772839869/in/photostream/
I don't know if it's visible in this smaller size, but if you follow the link and see the full size, you'll note how LONG the nectary is on these orchids. They're pollinated by sphinx moths
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4773477298/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/musicloveranthony/4773473366/
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