Subject: Dactylorhizas in N. America (2nd try!)

From: [email-masked] (Howard Clase)
Date: 2 Oct 1996 18:32:26 GMT

The only known native dactylorchid in N. America is Dactylorhiza
aristata which has spread from Siberia across the Aleutians into Alaska.
But there are now three known sites in Canada of accidentally introduced
European dactylorchids:  At Timmins, Ontario, (first found in 1960), at
Tilt Cove in NE Newfoundland (1989) and now this summer right here in St
John's.  This is recognised as one of the most difficult groups of orchids
to put names to because of bewildering variation in colonies and ready
hybridisation, but we are pretty sure that the St John's plant is the one
known in English as the Leopard Marsh-Orchid, like most of this group its
scientific name is in doubt, but we have settled for D. majalis ssp.
praetermissa var junialis for now!  (Whatever it is preceded by, the name
"junialis" also seems to be generally accepted.  I am not a professional
botanist and am certainly not qualified to get into the argument!).  The
Tilt Cove plants also seem to be a form (in the broad sense) of D. majalis
ssp. praetermissa but have not yet been tied in with any known European
taxon.  We are in contact with Dr Richard Bateman, one of the UK experts
in the group, and have provided him with slides and specimens.  Both the
Newfoundland populations are quite large, comprising several hundred
plants, and, while only recently disovered by botanists, have been known
to local residents for tens of years.   More information on the
Newfoundland discoveries can be found in the current (Sept 1996) issue of
the North American Native Orchid Journal.

	We suspect that the identification of the Timmins plant is in need
of revision and I would like to hear from anyone who has seen them,
especially if they can provide detailed descriptions.

	I should also like to hear of any other unpublished observations
	of dactylorchids in N. America.

	Howard Clase    [email-masked]

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From: [email-masked] (Victor Engel)
Date: Mon, 07 Oct 1996 02:55:00 GMT

>	of dactylorchids in N. America.

Thanks for the repost. I suggest you also post on rec.gardens.orchids.
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Victor Engel                                   Vector Angle
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