About Triphora trianthophoros (Sw.) Rydb.
Triphora trianthophoros (Sw.) Rydb. is a small, terrestrial, semi-saprophytic orchid, and is the showiest member of its genus. It produces 1 to 8 nodding flowers, most often 3, which gives the species its name. Each flower is roughly 2 cm across, and grows on a stem that reaches between 8 and 25 cm tall. Its leaves are small, measuring approximately 1 cm by 1.5 cm, and are typically dark green to purple in color. This orchid blooms from July through September, but it is well known for being elusive. Its flowers are ephemeral, lasting only several hours on just a few days each year. Reports note that entire populations across a region will synchronize their blooming to specific days, which makes finding flowering specimens even more difficult. Three named forms of Triphora trianthophoros are recognized: forma albidoflava (Keenan) with white flowers, forma caerulea (P.M. Brown) with blue flowers, and forma rossii (P.M. Brown) with multi-colored flowers. Triphora trianthophoros is native to eastern North America, with a range that extends south to Panama, north through Central America and the central and eastern United States, and into Ontario, Canada. Despite this wide distribution, the species is rare across most of its range. NatureServe has assigned it a conservation status of G3G4, meaning the species is generally secured but still has cause for conservation concern. It most often grows in mixed deciduous forests, where it is commonly found growing alongside partridgeberry and beech trees.
