Lily Leaved Twayblade Liparis liliifolia

This perennial wildflower in the orchid family is found in the form of a raceme, with 5 to 30 flowers  The stout stem is hairless.  The flowers are 3/4-1" across, each having 3 sepals and 3 petals on a short reproductive column,  Two drooping lateral petals are pale purple in color and have a threadlike shape.  The third petal, which is the lower petal is the lip of the flowers.  It is also pale purple with faint purple veins.  They can be flat or curved slightly.  The flowers emerge from a thin reddish stalk.

It can be found growing along stream banks and moist forest slopes, open upland woodlands, small openings in wooded areas of fallen trees, shaded cliff abandoned shrubby fields and meadows in wooded areas.  It spreads through its seeds being blown by the wind.  

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  In order to survive, the flower and its seeds require the presence of the Rhizoctonia/Tulasnella fungus.