Overview
Galearis spectabilis is a small terrestrial orchid in the orchid family, growing 5-12 inches (13-30 cm) tall from fleshy, fingerlike roots. Each plant produces two broad, glossy basal leaves, 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long, that lie close to the ground. A single flowering stalk rises between the leaves and carries 3-15 flowers in a loose spike. Each flower is about 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) long, with rose-purple to magenta upper sepals and petals forming a hood over a white, spurred lower lip. Flowering occurs in mid to late spring, with blooms opening from the bottom of the spike upward. It grows in the deep, rich, moist humus of mature deciduous and mixed woods across eastern North America, often on slopes and in ravines. The plant depends on soil fungi for nutrition and is slow to establish, which makes it difficult to transplant or cultivate. Foliage dies back by midsummer, leaving no above-ground trace until the following spring. Flowers are pollinated by bumblebees drawing nectar from the spur. It needs undisturbed, shaded woodland conditions and declines where soil, leaf litter, or canopy are disturbed.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, from southern Canada south to Georgia and west to the Great Plains, in rich deciduous and mixed forests.Suggested Uses
Used in native woodland and shade gardens with established humus and leaf litter. Suited to naturalistic plantings beneath deciduous trees rather than open borders. Grown chiefly by native plant and orchid specialists because of its fungal dependence.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5" - 1'
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from April to June, depending on latitude. The 3-15 flowers open from the base of the spike upward over one to two weeks. Bloom is brief, after which seed capsules form and the leaves fade.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
rose-purple hood with white lipFoliage Description
glossy greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 3 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight