Cleistes bifaria (Small spreading pogonia orchid) + Chris Wyse

Today, the final day of the field trips for the annual Native Orchid Conference symposium, found us visiting some mountain sites for native orchids. It did sprinkle rain off and on, but we were determined to complete the field trips and see some orchids that some of us had never seen before today.

The first place we stopped was Ashmore Heritage Preserve in Greenville County, South Carolina. This is almost in my "backyard", so I was excited for those from far away to see and appreciate all of the floral diversity that is at this location. We did see four orchid species, but not each was in bloom on this day.

The second trip was to the Brevard area in Transylvania County, North Carolina, where we visited Pisgah National Forest. We found a huge population of Galearis spectabilis which was bloomed out, but it certainly will be one place I will revisit next April. From there, we went to a secluded site above the Pink Beds where we found the elusive Appalachian twayblade orchid. It's small, but quite a find to add to our list...

All in all, the field trips were a success. The attendees were able to see orchids and many other rare plants that are endemic to the Carolinas.