Saturday, May 21, 2005

Rare orchid halts construction project in Virginia

Posted today in the Picayune Item, a local newspaper serving southern Mississippi, a $17 million dollar public-works project is on hold while it is determined whether a "rare wild orchid" (Isotria medeoloides) is growing at the site. The plant is also known as small whorled pogonia and "fewer than 500 ... have been found in 15 to 20 sites in Virginia."

According to Jenn's book, Botanica's Pocket Orchids, Isotria medeoloides "is considered the rarest endemic species in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the USA."

More information about the small whorled pogonia as well as a picture can be found here.

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