When walking through my woods this time of year, I’m looking for cranefly orchids (Tipularia discolor) in bloom. It is a delicate perennial, terrestrial orchid that grows in deciduous woods. Cranefly orchids are found growing in decaying organic matter, and they grow best in moist, well-drained soil. It is the only Tipularia species that is native to the southeastern US and grows in USDA planting zones 6A to 9B.
Cranefly orchids (Tipularia discolor) are native terrestrial orchids that grow in deciduous woods.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
About 15 to 20 tiny greenish-yellow to copper-colored flowers are produced on a single 4- to 12-inch stem. Each bloom emerges from a single corm (underground storage organ with a swollen, underground plant stem). The common name, cranefly orchid, is due to the flower’s resemblance to a cranefly insect’s slim body and wings.
About 15 to 20 tiny greenish-yellow to copper-colored flowers are produced on a single stem.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Each flower has a long nectar spur that produces and stores nectar. Nectar spurs are an important evolutionary characteristic in angiosperms (plants that flower and produce seeds inside a fruit or ovary.)
Each flower has a long nectar spur that produces and stores nectar.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The flowers are pollinated by nocturnal noctuid moths (Noctuidae family) that are camouflaged to blend in with tree bark. The moth will insert its proboscis into the orchid flower’s nectar spur, where the pollen will cling to the moth’s compound eyes. When the moth travels to feed on the nectar on the next flower, the pollen grains will be transferred to complete pollination. Later in the fall, oval-shaped pods containing seeds will form up and down the dried stem.
Nocturnal noctuid moths pollinate Cranefly Orchid flowers.
Photo Courtesy of Rebekah D. Wallace ©, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
By November, each corm will produce a single leaf. The topside of the leaf is green with dark spots, and the underside is a rich purple. If the cranefly orchids have been growing in an area for a while, they will be connected by a series of corms and form a large colony of plants. The leaves will remain throughout the winter until spring, then go dormant as hot weather arrives.
The topside of cranefly orchid leaves is green with small dark spots, and the underside is a rich purple.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Cranefly orchids emerge from a single corm, but the corms will be connected to form a large colony.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Cranefly orchids do not transplant well, so enjoy them when you find them in their natural woodland setting. Keep your eyes open for these beautiful little plants when going for a stroll or a hike in the woods this month.
