Habenaria epipactidea snaking spurs
Author: Ivan Lätti
Photographer: Judd Kirkel Welwitch
Snake-like floral spurs with bulging tips are prominent in the photo of this Habenaria epipactidea inflorescence. They grow from below the back end of the lip of each flower. A dull shine enhances the shades of green captured in this night-time flash photo.
The specific name, epipactidea, was derived from another orchid genus, Epipactus, comprised of plants with some resemblance to this species (Pooley, 1998).