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Aplectrum hyemale
A perennial terrestrial orchid occurring in eastern deciduous forests. A single, plaited, blue-green leaf emerges in the early fall from a pair of corms. After overwintering (often under snow), the leaf withers in the spring and a single stalk with 8-15 pale green or yellow flowers may emerge. Afterwards, the flowers are replaced by seed capsules (last photo) about ¾-1" long that are broadly ellipsoid in shape with multiple narrow ridges along their sides. These capsules nod downward from their pedicels along the raceme; later in the year, they split open to release abundant tiny seeds. These seeds are easily distributed to new areas via wind currents.
Spotted in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC.
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