Tag: Putty Root (Aplectrum hyemale)

  • Putty Root In Winter

    January 20, 2026 Approximately 64 species of Orchids call Virginia their native home. This is one of those native Orchids, Putty Root (Aplectrum hyemale), often found growing alongside Beech and Maple trees, in calcareous ravines. It has an odd way of presenting itself. Its single leaf emerges from the soil in late November and lives…

  • A Native Orchid

    May 9, 2025 Putty Root (Aplectrum hyemale), an Orchid native to eastern North America. A raceme comes up out of the soil mid-spring with no leaves. It blooms with multiple flowers, each perhaps a bit less than 1/2 inch across. The flowers last perhaps 2 or 3 weeks slowly fading away. In autumn a single…