Spiranthes ochroleuca (Yellow ladies'-tresses orchid)

On the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Parnassia site, I spotted these orchid flower spikes poking up through the roadside grasses. I thought it was really great to be able to find a few of them growing right next to that beautiful purple gentian.

This is an orchid species that is usually found in more northerly locations. Due to the mile-high-plus altitude, our Southern Appalachian Mountains provide just the right habitat for these to grow. Fortunately for me, I don't have to drive many hundreds of miles to see them...