Photos of Saskatchewan Native Orchids
Arethusa bulbosa growing in sphagnum moss in an acid bog in east central Saskatchewan
Most sources list 25 orchid species native to Saskatchewan, all
of which we have photographed and links to the photos are provided
below. A 26th species Cypripedium candidum is now considered
extirpated from the province. A 27th species Cypripedium montanum
is found in the Cypress Hills but there is debate if it is native
or has been introduced. Dr. Harms lists it as introduced in Checklist
of the Vascular Plants of Saskatchewan.
All of these orchids are terrestrial, and additionally the Corallorhiza species are saprophytic - lacking clorophyll for photosynthesis, deriving their nutrients directly from decaying organic matter.
The earliest ones we've seen flowering are Calypso bulbosa and Corallorhiza trifida in late May, soon followed Arethusa bulbosa, Cypripedium acaule in early June. Latest to flower are Spiranthes romanzoffiana, Spiranthes Lacera and Goodyera repens, flowering into mid August.
| Amerorchis rotundifolia | (Round Leaved Orchid) |
| Arethusa bulbosa | (Dragon's Mouth) |
| Calypso bulbosa | (Venus Slipper) |
| Coeloglossum viride | (Long-bracted Orchid) |
| Corallorhiza maculata | (Spotted Coralroot) |
| Corallorhiza striata | (Striped Coralroot) |
| Corallorhiza trifida | (Green Coralroot, Early Coralroot) |
| Cypripedium acaule | (Stemless / Pink Lady's Slipper) |
| Cypripedium arietinum | (Ram's Head Lady's Slipper) |
| Cypripedium montanum | (Mountain Lady's Slipper) |
| Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin | (Small Yellow Lady's Slipper) |
| Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens | (Large Yellow Lady's Slipper) |
| Cypripedium passerinum | (Franklin's / Sparrows Egg Lady's Slipper) |
| Cypripedium reginae | (Showy Lady's Slipper) |
| Goodyera oblongifolia | (Rattlesnake Plantain) |
| Goodyera repens | (Lesser Rattlesnake Plantain) |
| Liparis loeselli | (Yellow Twayblade, Bog Twayblade) |
| Listera borealis | (Northern Twayblade) |
| Listera cordata | (Heart-Leaved Twayblade) |
| Malaxis monophylla var. brachypoda | (White Adder's Mouth) |
| Malaxis paludosa | (Bog Adder's Mouth) |
| Platanthera aquilonsis | (Green Bog Orchid) |
| Platanthera dilatata | (White Bog Orchid) |
| Platanthera obtusata | (Blunt-Leaved Bog Orchid) |
| Platanthera orbiculata | (Round-Leaved Bog Orchid) |
| Spiranthes lacera | (Slender Ladies'-Tresses) |
| Spiranthes romanzoffiana | (Hooded Ladies'-Tresses) |
