Native Plants
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.
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , PurpleBloom 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 , WVCanada: 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 PlantsFNA: Find Galearis spectabilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Galearis spectabilis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-25Research By: TWC Staff