Rare Orchids in the Utah Desert
Not many people would expect to find orchids in a desert in Utah, but orchids can turn up in unusual places. Platanthera zothecina, the Alcove Bog Orchid, is native to the upper Colorado River watershed in southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, and far western Colorado. It’s rare and endangered. The area is harsh, high-elevation desert, with very hot summers, very cold winters, and little water. These photos show a small colony of plants with old flowers. They typically bloom in the summer; these photos were taken in October. The flowers are starting to die back, but still holding on.
Most deserts have few or no orchids, but there are species like the Alcove Bog Orchid which specialize in dry habitats. These plants are surviving by growing in a seep, where porous rocks allow water to slowly percolate from above. Rain or snow, which may have fallen years ago, slowly seeps out. This can create damp areas at the bases of rock ledges. The rock ledges also provide some protection from sun and wind. The final two photos above show this type of habitat more clearly, but there are no orchids in those shots.
An important reminder: please never take orchids from the wild. It’s illegal, and the plants will die from the stress. Take only photos and memories. Don’t damage plants or pluck their flowers, and be careful not to trample them.
Photos courtesy of Joyce Stevenson.
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