Saddle Prairie

I’m still visiting areas of Blue Jay Barrens in an attempt to assess current conditions and identify future management needs. At this time of year I really enjoy visiting the areas of shallow soil that restrict the growth of tall, thick stands of prairie grasses. There has been plenty of moisture this year, so the Indiangrass has done well. Even when we have good growing conditions, this species remains short and scattered throughout the site.

This particular ridgetop prairie lies in a depressed saddle between two knobs. Rain water flows off the knobs and into the depression before draining away, giving the saddle a moisture boost not enjoyed by the rest of the ridge. Tall wildflowers don’t grow here, but conditions are perfect for the short statured Gray Goldenrod.

Some bare areas support very little vegetation. These make ideal sites for some of the rare winter annuals such as Leavenworthia and the Drabas. Western Sunflower maintains a strong population here, but the plants are dwarfs compared to others of their species growing in good soil.

The area is filled with tiny specimens of Wild Rose, Rosa carolina. Most are much less than a foot tall and are hardly noticeable when not in bloom.

The bright orange fruits make it a bit easier to find the rose plants. The Wild Rose is a plant of the dry prairie and seems well suited to life among the short plants. I’ve never found it in shaded areas or in stands of tall vegetation. I hope the creature that eats that fruit deposits the seed in a suitable growing site.

Spiranthes orchids are still abundant. Slender Ladies’ Tresses, Spiranthes lacera, is recognizable by the green patch in the throat of the flower.

Bluehearts are still blooming. Late bloomers are not uncommon, but they have been especially abundant this year.

Early blooming Bluehearts have already produced mature seed and are scattering it about the hillside. For an area that was once thick with small cedars, this site has produced an amazing diversity of plant and animal life. I don’t see any need for hands-on management activities here for at least two or three more years. By that time, there will be a new crop of small cedars needing removed. Until then, this will be a place to observe and enjoy.

Spiranthes Orchids

There are two things that are especially great about September. First is the disappearance of chiggers. There may be one or two strays, but it is now safe to sit in the long grass admiring flowers for extended periods. Second is the blooming of many species of Spiranthes orchids, an excellent flower to admire.

This is Spiranthes vernalis, a tall spike with a spiraled cluster of flowers on top. The arrangement of flowers on the spike is the first characteristic you notice when you come upon a Spiranthes. Loosely coiled vs. tightly coiled or single spiral vs. double spiral are all helpful in determining species, but the genus can present some complications. The various species can be quite variable and the descriptions are full of caution words such as typically, usually or mostly. Combine that with various authors all zeroing in on their own select few key characters and you can soon get frustrated. Despite this, they’re still beautiful plants.

Basal leaves are usually present earlier in the year when there is less shading from surrounding vegetation. Presence or absence of leaves at flowering time is also used to determine identity. Again, this is a variable characteristic that can lead to the wrong conclusion if other identifying marks are ignored.

Though they can appear quite brilliant at close range, even a large Spiranthes is easily hidden in the grass. This is Spiranthes lacera, similar to vernalis in appearance, but easily distinguishable by a bright green spot centered in the bottom lip of the flower. After your eye reestablishes a search image, it becomes easier to spy the orchids in the grass. After spotting one plant, you can often scan the surrounding area and find others. Don’t forget to look down, because there’s a good chance you’re also standing on one.

People seem to have the idea that orchids are frail plants. They’re amazed that such a delicate flower can thrive in the harsh conditions of these dry hillside prairies. This attitude probably comes from hearing about the special care that many tropical orchids need in order to survive in captivity. But many of the tropical orchids live atop tree branches or in the detritus collected by angled rocks, situations that seem just as inhospitable as a rocky hillside. I’m sure the Spiranthes would require special care if they were transplanted from the conditions to which they are adapted. In their natural habitat, the Spiranthes thrive and seem capable of holding their own against any competitor. I enjoy seeing them and am gratified by their willingness to colonize new areas as they are created.

Spiranthes Orchid Time

I used to think of orchids as being rather rare and requiring an almost climate controlled environment. Although many do require specialized habitats, most species have proven to be quite hardy and capable of enduring extreme conditions. There have been 14 orchid species identified at Blue Jay Barrens. My favorite genus, Spiranthes, is represented by five species. Late summer and fall is a prime blooming time for these species and I’m always anxious to find the first flower spikes. Pictured is Slender Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes lacera.

It takes a keen eye to spot a Spiranthes flower stalk hidden in the tall grass. The tiny flowers line up in a spiral around the central shaft of the stalk. Stalks seldom exceed 12 inches in height and are usually much shorter.

Most of the summer flowering Spiranthes are leafless at bloom time. Basal leaves, which have already done their job of recharging the plant’s energy supply, have withered and disappeared. Leaves on the stalk are nothing more than small scales and are barely visible.

The flowers of Spiranthes lacera are quite variable. In the past, this variability has been used to break the plants into two distinct species. The typical flower displays a lime-green throat. The type pictured is known as variety gracilis.

Spiranthes species produce some of the most fragile looking flowers of the plant world. They always remind me of some sugar based confectioners creation. These delicate blooms with pure white throats belong to Little Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes tuberosa.

Spiranthes tuberosa produces a loose spiral spike that often lies over and sprawls in the grass. The bloom is so sparkling white that it’s often impossible to see any details in bright sunlight.

The basal leaf clusters of the presumed Lesser Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes ovalis, have developed flower stalks. It won’t be long before the flowers bloom and I will be able to confirm my identification.