Species Orchid, Adam-and-Eve-Root Orchid, Putty Root, Puttyroot, Aplectrum

Putty Root Orchid is common in my woods, but I have yet to see a bloom. Based on the information posted here, maybe I'll see one yet.

The scientific name tells you something about the plant. The generic name Aplectrum comes from the Latin, A (without) and plectron (spur)...Read More, meaning that the flowers have no spurs. The specific epithet or second word, hymale, means Winter and refers to the fact that this Orchid has a solitary leaf that persists all Winter. This leaf can be up to 10" long and 3" wide with beautiful parallel silver veining. In the Spring, the leaf vanishes and a 12"-18" pencil thick stem of greenish-yellow-purplish Orchid flowers appears.

Native orchid in my region. Puts forth a single, crinkled leaf in fall, with white stripes on it that persists into spring. After the le...Read Moreaf dwindles and disappears, the flower stalks come up (about 12" tall). Blooms in early May here. We have acid soil, and it prefers wet loamy or sandy areas along creeks and rivers, in the shade.