Showy Orchis Galearis spectabilis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- gal-ee-AIR-iss speck-TAB-ih-liss
- Description
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Showy orchid is a native wildflower found in Canada south to eastern and central USA. In NC it is found primarily in the mountains in moist woodland sites. The plant produces 2 leaves which persist through fall and in spring clusters of pinkish-lavender and white mildly fragrant flowers appear. They are up to 1.5 inches long and have a distinctive upper hood of fused sepals and petals with a long white lower lip. They are primarily pollinated by bumblebees.
Grow this orchid in moist fertile well-drained soil with leaf mold incorporated in the woodland setting.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Galearis
- Species:
- spectabilis
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Canada to N. Central & Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Native in Quebec to Ontario in Canada, and south to North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri and Kansas.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are in a terminal cluster of three to ten or more blooms. The flowers are 3/4 inch to 1.5 inches long, two-parted with a pink to light purple upper hood (formed by the joined sepals and lateral petals) and a white lower petal which forms a spurred lip. The flowers can be lightly fragrant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Two basal leaves, that are fleshy, oval to elliptic, and clasping the stem. First-year plants have only one foliage leaf.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
