Syn.: Galearis rotundifolia (Banks ex Pursh) R. M. Bateman, Habenaria rotundifolia (Banks ex Pursh) Lindl., Orchis rotundifolia Banks ex Pursh, Platanthera rotundifolia (Banks ex Pursh) Lindl., Ponerorchis rotundifolia (Banks ex Pursh) Soó
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution: Northern part of North America, from Alaska through Yukon to southern Nunavut to Greenland, in the south through Rocky Mountains to Montana and SW Wyoming, in the east to Wisconsin, Michigan and northern parts New York and Maine.
Ecology: Found in coniferous forest, shrubbery, wetlands and tundra, often on limestone, from coast to almost 1200 m elevation. It blooms in June and July.
Description: Perennial herb, 7–33 cm tall. Stem is straight, solitary leaf at the base, elliptic to oval, 3–7 cm long, 2–5 cm wide. Inflorescence is a terminal raceme with 2–8 flowers, pinkish white with purple spots, 12–15 mm long; sepals 3, white; lateral petals 2, white; lip purple-spotted, 3-lobed, 6–9 mm long, spur slender, curved, less than 6 mm long, bracts 5–15 mm long. Fruit is a capsule, erect, 5–10 mm long.
Threat and Protection: Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin list this plant as endangered and internationally it is under CITES protection.
Note: Genus Amerorchis is monotypic; phylogenetic studies are placing this species to genus Galearis.
These images were taken in Canada, Alberta, Calgary, Griffith Woods Park and Edworthy Park (July 2012).
