May 8, 2026

I find it remarkable to that here in Virginia we have 64 to 67 Orchids that are native to our state. Remarkable that these plants can survive and produce breathtaking flowers here. Thinking about it, I Googled another state very special to me, New Mexico, which surely would be an even more challenging environment for these delicate seeming plants. There are 17 to 24 native Orchid species there. Amazing.

In this photo, an Orchid that is native to Virginia, Putty Root (Aplectrum hyemale). It’s blooming right now in my woods on a 12 inch tall stalk. As the flowers fade it leaves no sign of the plant, but in late autumn a new single leaf, green with many length-wise faint white stripes emerges. That leaf persists through the winter, sometimes beneath snow, until just before the plant again produces a springtime stalk of flowers.

Nature is indeed amazing.

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