Putnam Park Wildflowers


Flower ID: IMG_5695.JPG-05-20-2026
Flower name (scientific): Galearis spectabilis (Linnaeus) Rafinesque PY: 1833. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) gal-ee-AIR-iss speck-TAB-ih-liss
Flower name (common): Showy Orchis
Family name (common): Orchid
Family name (scientific): Orchidaceae
Scientific name origin:
     Genus: From the Latin galea for helmet, reflecting the appearance of the upper part of the flower.
    Specific epithet: Good looking, spectacular, for the attractive appearance of the flower.
Common name origin:
Flower description:
     Size: 0.7 to 1.0 inches (1.8 to 2.5 cm)
     Petal count: 3 petals and 3 sepals
     Color: pink and white
     Other: flower arrangement, Raceme
Plant description:
     Size: 3 to 8 inches (8 to 20 cm)
     Stem hairy:
     Other:
Leaf description: attachment is basal, type is simple
     Size:
     Color:
     Hairy:
     Other: Shape: leaf, broadly elliptic to nearly orbicular (MP)
Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native
Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon
Bloom time (typical): May to June
Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial
Habitat:
Fruit:
Seed:
Importance to wildlife:
Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes in the region.
Ethnobotany:
Latitude: 44.803298
Longitude: -91.521898
Altitude: 239.30
Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Ashland, Barron, Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Polk, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, St. Croix, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha) Click here for distribution map
In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map
In Canada: (NB, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map
References:
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Homotypic Synonym(s):
Heterotypic Synonym(s):
Autonym(s):
Wetland Status (NC):
Wetland Status (MW):