Pale-green Orchid, aka Southern Rein Orchid   (Platanthera flava var. flava):

I found several stands of this fairly uncommon orchid in a flatwoods environment. These pics were early June - I hoped to see them blooming in 3-4 weeks...

Orchid Bud

One month later, the orchid flowers were just beginning to open...

Some of the few flowers that had opened so far...

The delicate blossoms are only about 1/4 inch in size.

The flowers open from the bottom of the inflorescence upward.

By late July the flower clusters were finally fully opened. Perhaps the dry spell in early summer delayed their blooms.

Pale-green Orchid, aka Southern Rein Orchid   (Platanthera flava var. flava)

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