Cranefly Orchid is a perennial woodland orchid native to the southeastern USA and is found in all areas of NC. In Autumn the single oval leaf emerges and stays through spring, then disappears. There are no leaves present during bloom-time. In July-Sept, a 1-2 foot tall flower stalk emerges from the corm with a spike of irregularly shaped purplish-brown to copper orchid blooms. The shape accommodates the moths that pollinate them. The plants are connected by a series of corms. They need to grow in a woodland setting with decaying wood in moist well-drained soil. Plant where they can receive sun in the winter. This plant is listed as rare, endangered or threatened in several states.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The single leaf is dull to shiny green above, sometimes has raised purple spots and purple underneath. Appears in Autumn through spring.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Irregular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
A flowering spike appears in July through Sept. directly from the corm with a spike of irregularly shaped spindly orchid blooms with a long nectar spur. They are purplish-brown to copper in color.