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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Galearis spectabilis (Showy orchid)
Cressler, Alan

Galearis spectabilis

Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf.

Showy Orchid, Purple-hooded Orchid, Gay Orchid

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Synonym(s): Galeorchis spectabilis, Orchis spectabilis

USDA Symbol: GASP5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A short stalk rising between 2 large, glossy, green leaves and topped by 2-15 white and pink to deep lavender flowers.

The genus name, Galearis, is derived from the Latin word, galea, which means helmet. It refers to the two pink to purple upper petals which form a hood over the flower. The specific epithet, spectabilis, is from the Latin for remarkable, admirable or showy.

 

From the Image Gallery

27 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB
Native Distribution: Ontario east to New Brunswick, south to Georgia, west to Louisiana and Oklahoma, and north to Nebraska and Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Rich damp woods and swamp edges.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Galearis spectabilis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Galearis spectabilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Galearis spectabilis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-25
Research By: TWC Staff

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