mm
Orchis tridentata. 53
R oot perennial and palmate. Stem angular, from ten to twelve
inches high, having three leaves; the lower, proceeding from the root
by a sheathing duplicature of its base, is about six inches long, spa-
thulate or ensiform-lanceolate, attenuated at base, and somewhat obtuse,
conspicuously marked with numerous longitudinal nerves. Asparagus
green beneath, yellowish-green above, glabrous and shining.
The middle leaf about an inch or an inch and a half long, linear-
lanceolate and channelled, also sheathing the stem. The upper one
linear, and half an inch long. Spike half a finger’s length, six, eight,
and ten-flowered. Bracts lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the
germ. Flowers small, pale sulphur-yellow, and under a lens full of
pellucid glands. Germs green. Petals nearly equal, ovate, obtuse.
Lip lanceolate, longer than the petals, three-toothed at the apex;
hence the specific name. Horn filiform, clavate at the apex, longer
than the germ.
An inhabitant of shaded bogs, from New York to Virginia, flowering
in July and August.
The genus orchis is of great antiquity in botany, and derives its
name from the testicular shape of the roots in many species. Being
very extensive, it necessarily comprised many plants which might
well be separated into distinct genera. Accordingly it was subjected
to revision by Willdenow, who allotted some of the species to a distinct
genus, which he denominated Habenaria. But this group has
. von. r. io