Triphora trianthophoros
| Triphora trianthophoros | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Triphora |
| Species: | T. trianthophoros
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| Binomial name | |
| Triphora trianthophoros | |
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Triphora trianthophoros, the threebirds[1] or three birds orchid, or nodding pogonia, is a species of terrestrial orchid native to eastern North America.
Description
[edit]Triphora trianthophoros is a small, terrestrial, semi-saprophytic orchid.[2] The showiest member of its genus, T. trianthophoros has 1-8 (often 3, thus the name) nodding flowers that are roughly 2 cm in size and sit atop stems 8–25 cm tall. Leaves are small (~1 cm X 1.5 cm) and typically dark green to purple. The orchid blooms from July through September, but is infamous for its elusive nature, with ephemeral flowers lasting for only several hours on a few days of the year.[3] It has further been reported that populations across a region synchronize blooming on specific days, making observation of flowering specimens even more difficult.[4] Several forms of T. trianthophoros exist, including forma albidoflava (Keenan) with white flowers, forma caerulea (P.M. Brown) with blue flowers, and forma rossii (P.M. Brown) with multi-colored flowers.[5][6][7]
Habitat and range
[edit]Triphora trianthophoros is native to the eastern North America, ranging from as far south as Panama and north through Central America and the central and eastern United States into Ontario.[2] Despite its wide distribution, the species is rare throughout much of its range and has been given G3G4 (secured, but with cause for concern) conservation status by NatureServe.[8]
Triphora trianthophoros is usually found in mixed deciduous forests. Co-located species often include partridgeberry and beech trees.[2][3]
References
[edit]- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Triphora trianthophora". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ a b c Ramstetter, Jennifer (May 2001). "Triphora trianthophora (Swartz) Rydb.: Three Birds Orchid". New England Plant Conservation Program Conservation and Research Plan.
- ^ a b Brown, P.M. (2004). Wild Orchids of the Southeastern United States North of Peninsular Florida. University Press of Florida. pp. 238–239. ISBN 0-8130-2749-7.
- ^ Philipps, Thomas. "Three Birds Orchid". Plant of the Week. USDA Forest Service. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ Keenan (1992). "A New Form of Triphora Trianthophora (Swartz) Rydberg, and Part 3 of Observations on the Ecology of Triphora Trianthophora (Orchidaceae) in New Hampshire". Rhodora. 94: 38–39.
- ^ Brown, P.M. (2001). "Recent Taxonomic and Distributional Notes From Florida". North American Native Orchid Journal. 7 (1): 94–95.
- ^ Brown, P.M. (1999). "Recent Taxonomic and Distributional Notes From Florida". North American Native Orchid Journal. 5 (1): 5.
- ^ Maine Department of Conservation Natural Areas Program (2004). "Triphora trianthophora (Sw.) Rydb.: Nodding Pogonia". Rare Plant Fact Sheet.
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