Triphora trianthophoros
[ Triphora trianthophora ]

Three Birds Orchid, Nodding Pogonia

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid family)

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: July - September
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe: September - November

Three Birds Orchid's flowers are extremely ephemeral, lasting for only several hours on a few days of the year, making the species very difficult to locate. Each stem bears 1–8 (often 3, giving it the common name) nodding flowers that are roughly 1–1.5 cm long. The petals are white to pale pink, and the lower central lobe has prominent greenish ridges near its base. The plant itself is otherwise unremarkable, with stems 8–25 cm tall, and small (0.7–2 cm long) ovate leaves that clasp the stem.

Three Birds Orchid is widespread (but scattered) in e. North America, and south into Central America. While its global ranking is G3G4 (secured, but with cause for concern), it is ranked as S1 (critically endangered) in some states such as Virginia. It has two recognized varieties:
- var. trianthophoros occurs from Maine and Ontario west to Wisconsin, south to central peninsular Florida and eastern Texas; there is a disjunct population in north-central Mexico.
- var. mexicana occurs from Mexico south to Central America.

27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA	27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA	27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA	27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA (view looking down on plant)
27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA	27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA	27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA	27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA
27 July 2026 Fairfax County, VA (stems and leaves)

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