Notes from a Naturalist: Orchids in New Hampshire? Who knew?

The orchids are a fascinating group of flowering plants. Long sought out for their many exotic forms, orchids are the oddballs of the flower world. Unlike the regular symmetry of many flowers, orchids feature fabulous and intricate designs. For instance, the lateral sepals of orchids are often symmetrical to one another, with a third sepal acting as a sort of hood, hovering over the reproductive parts within. Those flower parts, the pollen-bearing stamen and the ovary-containing pistil, are fused together into one piece in orchids.

Another unique feature of orchids is that their seeds are tiny, barely visible, lacking enough energy stored within to carry them through the germination process. Thus, orchid seeds must develop a symbiotic relationship with the underground mycorrhiza of certain fungi species.