Wild Orchids In Alberta, Canada?
When you think about the habitats of wild orchids, there are many places that come to mind like Tokyo, Bangkok or the Rio. But did you know that you can find wild orchids in one of the most un-tropical of places - Alberta, Canada? These wild orchids of Canada are not the massive, sensual, fleshy flowers you usually associate with orchids. These wild orchids are small, unassuming and generally ignored.
Sparrow's Egg
Also known as the Ladyslipper Orchid or Franklin's Ladyslipper, this small species of wild orchid grows from Montana to British Columbia. America has listed this orchid as a "species of concern", meaning it is endangered. If you find one of these wild orchids, you better leave it where you found it. You may get into legal trouble by taking it home.
This is a small yet sturdy mostly white orchid with tiny red spots. The main flower is shaped quite a bit like an egg. The petals of the flower tend to droop. They grow in one or two flowers per jade green lance-shaped leaves in wooded areas, especially in coniferous (evergreen) forests.
Northern Green Orchid
Blink and you might miss this small, delicate and grass-green curly member of wild orchids. They once could be found all over North America, even in this writer's home state of Pennsylvania. They are a lot rarer today, because of overdevelopment and the destruction of wetlands. They need moist and boggy areas in order to grow. They can also grow in wet woodlands.
They are very small curling flowers piled on top of each other in stalks. The flowers and stalks are the same color. Since they are grass-green, they blend in easily with other plants. You might have to find them by watching where bees and other nectar-eating insects go buzzing to. Their blooming season is June to August.
Heart Leaved Twayblade
This is another teeny-tiny species or wild orchid that also is threatened due to loss of habitat. However, this has a little more color than the Northern Green Orchid. They still can be found from New England to Alberta, Canada. These plants grow only three to ten inches high, so watch where you step when looking for them.
They have a central straight green or brown stalk where tiny little five petaled flowers poke out. A stalk can have around a dozen of these little pinkish to purplish-brown colored flowers. They also bloom from June to August.
