Roadside Wildflowers - Summer 2023 Hwy 180, paralleling Soapstone Creek |
All Text & Images: Copyright (2023) |
Every August, two orchid species flower prolifically along sections of Hwy 180, and almost every year, GDOT mows them down as they are approaching full bloom. I have spoken with our GDOT partners in the GPCA, asking them if the mowing couldn't be rescheduled to another time, i.e. after the plants had gone to seed. They seemed receptive to doing this, but today's visit revealed that another cutting had taken place in mid-flowering. Fortunately there are some areas adjacent to the mow zones where the plants still survive. |
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Yellow / Orange Fringed Orchid (Platanthera ciliaris) |
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Platanthera ciliaris - individual flower |
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Platanthera ciliaris |
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A trio of Platanthera |
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Platanthera ciliaris |
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Slender Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis) |
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Note the distinctive green spot on the labellum (lower petal lip). |
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Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis |
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Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis |
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Curtiss' Milkwort (Polygala curtissii) |
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Curtiss' Milkwort |