Calypso bulbosa, the sole member of the genus Calypso. Commonly known as fairy-slipper, photographed is the western variation of the orchid species photographed in Olympic national park.
The orchid is globally secure but rare in some states. As its name suggests, it is a tuberous orchid spreading underground. A small orchid, its beauty is best experience up close and personal!
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae, New Holland Honeyeater, is a honeyeater species commonly found across southern Australia, including Tasmania. It is a striking-looking bird with a black body, white iris, and a large patch of yellow across its plumage. For protein, they eat insects and spiders.
As the name suggests, honeyeaters obtain most of their carbohydrates from the nectar of flowers. Hence, they are vital pollinators for native plant species like Banksia. It is found in forests and woodlands where native flowers grow.
Trillium ovatum, also known as Pacific trillium or western Trillium, is a widespread trillium species abundant in Western North America. Its flowers are nearly indistinguishable from T. grandiflorum, with which it is closely related. Thankfully, they have distinct natural ranges and can easily be told apart from where you encounter them!
Western Trillium is a perennial herb spreading through underground rhizomes, preferring to grow in shaded forests.
Life cycles of Trilliums are quite interesting, as they take a long time to reach maturity. From wiki –
“The life-cycle stages of T. ovatum include a cotyledon stage, a one-leaf vegetative stage, a three-leaf vegetative (juvenile) stage, a three-leaf reproductive (flowering) stage, and a three-leaf nonflowering regressive stage. An example of the latter involves a transition from the three-leaf flowering stage to a three-leaf nonflowering regressive stage.”
In the previous years, I have seen many Trillium plants, most either past floewring, or too young to flower. Seattle finally broke my Trillium curse, and how!
What's growing in the Garden State 