It's green 2012

[Maren]

Habenaria limprichtii.
Rather inconveniently, the central spike is the shortest. But it still got a bronze rosette at yesterday's Thames Valley Orchid Society meeting.

[Maggi Young]

Yeah, that is good and green 

 The close-up of the flowers is super - what an intricate litttle "face"

[Peter Maguire]

Don't get too close Maggi, it looks like it's about to grab something........

[Sam]

very nice Maren

[Sam]

Habenaria limprichtii.
Rather inconveniently, the central spike is the shortest. But it still got a bronze rosette at yesterday's Thames Valley Orchid Society meeting.

how do you grow it?
because mine don't seems to want make flower !

[mark smyth]

a word of warning - when trying to photograph Epipactis DONT try to bend the stem to get a better photo. I just snapped one off because I didnt realise how rigid they are

[Maren]

Hi Sam,

I was pleasantly surprised that this pot flowered. I have three more, one looks empty and the other two only have leaves.

A friend suggested that I should pollinate it, so I dutifully took it to Ian B. as I could see neither pollinia nor stamen to do the deed. Have a look at the picture, none of the flowers appear to have any sexy bits

[fredg]

Platanthera clavellata, twice as tall and four months later than the other clone 

[Tony Willis]

Fred

a nice form ,does seem late but it is a strange season

[fredg]

Tony

This happens every season, the two clones just do not act like the same species.

[fredg]

This is my best close up of Platanthera clavellata to date.
The Araneus diadematus spiderling that has taken up residence on the plant is about the size of a pinhead yet beautifully marked. 

[ronm]

Fantastic pictures Fred.

"This is my best close up of Platanthera clavellata to date." - I see its self pollinating. How strange with such a large spur  .

[Maren]

Marvellous pictures. Something to remind us to take the time to stop and look closely at our plant treasures.

[fredg]

I see its self pollinating. How strange with such a large spur

Have you also noted that there is at least one naturally occuring hybrid Ron?
A cross with Platanthera blephariglottis which indicates an insect pollinator as well as self pollination

[ronm]

I did see that Fred, and am glad you've highlighted it. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised given the pollination of others in this Genus.  Its described nicely here,

http://www.botany.wisc.edu/orchids/clavellata.html

I suppose what is surprising somewhat is that the insect hasn't been observed yet given the amount of study that seems to have gone into this Genus. What isn't clear from this report is how common the hybrid, P X vossii, is.
Seems ( from the same source ) that the 'dual pollinating methods' is better documented in P. hyperborea. Bumblebees and moths are cited as well as autogamous plants.