Three Varieties of the White Bog Orchis

[ronaldhanko]

There are three varieties of this tall, fragrant native species, all with different spur or nectary lengths and probably different pollinators, therefore. The picture shows the variety with a spur about equal to the length of the lip, the two other varieties have spurs much shorter or longer than the lip. All three varieties can be seen at the link below.



Native Orchids of the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies: Three Varieties of the White Bog Orchid

[WhiteRabbit]

Lovely! beautiful photos!

[ronaldhanko]

Thank you, Sonya, the everywhere present.

[Tindomul]

I would agree on the spur size being a good characteristic for separating varieties. But it wasn't obvious from the pics. I'll have to see them in person.

[gnathaniel]

Very cool, Ron, I always love your in-situ photos!

[ronaldhanko]

Tindo, the spurs are often hidden by the flowers and in the bracts, so it's not always so easy to see, but once you have seen all three the difference is obvious.
Nat, thanks for the nice compliment and for looking.

[RosieC]

Wonderful. Really interesting about the possibility of different polinators.

[ronaldhanko]

Thanks, Rosie. There's a road in Olympic National Park where all three varieties grow in different locations along the road.