Isotria verticillata

Isotria verticillata, commonly known as the large whorled pogonia and purple fiveleaf orchid, is an orchid species native to eastern North America.

Isotria verticillata
Flower of a large whorled pogonia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Vanilloideae
Genus:	Isotria
Species:	I. verticillata
Binomial name
Isotria verticillata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Raf.
Synonyms
Arethusa verticillata Muhl. ex Willd. Odonectis verticillata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Raf. Pogonia verticillata (Muhl. ex Willd.) Nutt. Pogonia verticillata var. medeoloides Eaton

Distribution

The orchid's native range is across the Eastern United States in the Appalachian Mountains, the central and eastern Great Lakes region, and elsewhere from Maine south to Florida, and westward from Michigan south to Texas. It is also native to Ontario, Canada.

It grows in acidic soils in forests and in peat bogs.

Description

Isotria verticillata is a terrestrial orchid spreading by underground rhizomes.

Its leaves are green above, waxy and a bit whitened below.

The flowers are yellowish-green, up to 110 mm (4.3 inches) across.

External links

• Media related to Isotria verticillata at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Isotria verticillata at Wikispecies
• USDA Plants Profile for Isotria verticillata (large whorled pogonia)
• Isotria verticillata in Flora of North America @ efloras.org
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network−NPIN: Isotria verticillata