Rosebud Orchid: Cleistes divaritica (Linnaeus) Ames

Rosebud Orchid: Cleistes divaritica (Linnaeus) Ames
The single, tubular flower is generally about two inches or more in length and is supported on a stem that has a solitary leaf about half way up the stem and a single, pointed floral bract at the base of the ovary.

The narrow mahogany colored sepals stretch upward and are about the same length as the petals.

The front facing petals that form the tube are usually some shade of pick. The lip protrudes beyond the petals and has purple veins and markings.

It also sports a curved center section sometimes containing a blotch of yellow bristles. A single stem with two flowers is quite rare.

Besides the length of the flower, a characteristic that distinguish this species from Cleistes bifaria is a narrow, lance shaped floral bract.
Rosebud Orchid: Cleistes divaritica (Linnaeus) Ames