Endangered Orchid

This is a close-up of one of the rarest orchids in Canada. It is known as Nodding Pogonia (Triphora trianthophora) and it only grows in one place in the entire country: Rondeau Provincial Park, ON. In a really good year, one may find a hundred or more plants. In other years, such as 2012, there was not a single plant that flowered, although a few tried. In 2013 the outcome is somewhat more promising, with several dozen plants that have flowered. It is quite diminutive. The entire plant seldom exceeds 15 cm (6 ") in height and the flower itself is usually less than 2.5 cm (1") high.