Platanthera psycodes (Small Purple-fringed Orchid)

Mt. Mitchell State Park which is just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, is home to many beautiful wildflowers. One of the most attractive, IMHO, is the Small Purple-fringed Orchid.

From mid-June to the first week in July, these wonderful plants put on quite a show along the side of the access road to Mt. Mitchell. Their color and flower size vary considerably, but their delicate beauty is what attracts me and other wildflower enthusiasts to this location every year. In addition, the cool mountain air and hiking possibilities make the annual trip very injoyable.

The flower color ranges from pure white (very rare) to deep magenta-purple. Occasionally, one can find a bi-color specimen where the lower petals are white or light purple.