Prairie Notes #179 - Orchids: Oooh-La-La!
Prairie Notes are monthly photo/journal observations from Tandy Hills Natural Area by Founder/Director, Don Young. They include field reports, flora and fauna sightings, and more, mixed with a scoop of dry humor and a bit of philosophy.
They are available free to all who get on the FOTHNA email list.
Orchids: Oooh-La-La!
Prairie Notes #179
November 1, 2021
01) Orchids: Oooh-La-La!
02) Field Report - October
03) New Species - October
04) New Trails Project Report
05) PrairieSky / StarParty - November
06) October Skies
07) Experience Deep Time
08) Prairie Proverb - Confucius
01) Orchids: Oooh-La-La!
There are many reasons to count your lucky stars that Tandy Hills exists and is so easily accessible. Every season brings a new reason and a new species to celebrate. In very early spring it's Trout Lilies. In mid-spring it's the full orchestra of wildflowers. In summer, the Silphiums brighten the prairie with yellow and white blooms and winter is a good time to admire the barren prairie hills.
In late October and November, it's the elusive little plant with the big name, Great Plains Ladies' Tresses Orchids (Spiranthes magnicamporum) that makes life a little more beautiful. I write, "elusive" for two reasons. First, these little marvels are hard to spot since they are only a few inches tall and grow inside the fall grasses. Secondly, there are no more than a couple dozen specimens here, at most, and that's in a good year. They are also very picky about their habitat. Rare, indeed, and listed as "Vulnerable" in the U.S.
Great Plains Ladies Tresses Orchids have been observed blooming at Tandy Hills as early as, October 11 and as late as November 14. It's different every year. This year, the first was observed on October 30. On that hike, we found a total of five plants that were just getting started.
The name “Spiranthes” comes from the Greek words “spir” meaning coiled and “anthes” meaning flowers. This name refers to the spiral shape of the flowers, which, long ago, was thought to resemble long locks of ladies hair. Hence, the common name “ladies’ tresses orchid.” The species name “magnicamporum” comes from the Latin words “magna” meaning great, and “campus,” meaning “of the field or plain.” This name refers to this species occurring mostly in the Great Plains.
Perhaps their most notable characteristic is the fragrance. The flowers produce an intensely sweet, vanilla-like scent known as, coumarin. If your nose is working well you might use it to help find them among the fall grasses. And, if and when you do, I urge you to get down on the ground, on their level and inhale deeply. Now you know you're alive.
DY
02) Field Report - October
At the end of October the weather is near perfect for hiking Tandy Hills. We had enough rain to help the fall wildflowers and grasses look pretty good in this brief, 'tween time before the Oak leaves turn. Among the stand-outs are 3 species of Aster and the magical, "ghost grass", aka: Seep Muhly, that comes alive at sunset. Come on in a see these fall wonders while you can. Here are some scenes of what happened in October.
03) New Species - October
There were 22 new species added in October, bringing the new count to 1618. Key obervations were made by, Kimberlie Sasan, Sam Kieschnick, Bob O'Kennon and one by Don Young. See a few notables below and the Tandy Hills iNat Project Page HERE: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/tandy-hills-natural-area-stratford-...
04) New Trails Report
The new trails project really got going in October with the first new trail nearly finished. One thing to know about this project is that, most of the new trails cut through forested areas rather than open prairie, areas previously not available to the casual visitor. Another thing is that, due to the hills and valleys and the trail switchbacks, a few bridges are necessary. The first of these new bridges is now complete and it's a beautiful thing. I invite you to schedule a fall visit while the weather is nearly perfect.
05) PrairieSky / StarParty Report - November
November 13 is the last star party until March 2022, AND the time change will make it earlier so, make plans now! Here's the sky report from FW Astronomical Society rep, Pam Kloepfer:
The sun will set around 6:30PM in early November until Standard Time returns November 7; after that, our star will set around 5:30PM, allowing for earlier and longer star gazing nights! The planets will continue their parade across the celestial sphere, with a few rendezvous with the Moon. Look for a thin crescent Moon west of Venus on November 7. Venus itself will be about half lit, slimming down to a crescent by month’s end. This bright planet has phases like our Moon, which can easily be observed with a telescope. Jupiter and Saturn continue their prominent places in the sky. Between November 7 and 11, a waxing crescent Moon will follow this planet procession. Not to be outdone, ice giants Uranus and Neptune also beg for a look, but since they are almost 2 billion miles away, you will surely need a telescope to see them! They are no bigger than a dot, but under steady viewing conditions, you can discern their greenish-blue and bluish-green disks respectively. The Moon will be waxing gibbous November 13.
06) October Skies
We enjoyed some striking sunsets in October. Here's a look back.
07) Experience Deep Time
Want to challenge yourself? Time travel through 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history, with a free app as your guide. You can time travel using this app anywhere or anytime, but if you start your journey at Tandy Hills on Saturday, November 6, you'll join a global effort of activists and community leaders bringing a deep time perspective to the COP26 climate change talks. From 1:30 PM until sunset, Friends of Tandy Hills volunteers will help you begin your walk. Here’s a link to download the Deep Time Walk app and learn more about the earth scientists and deep ecologists who created it.
8) Prairie Proverb
“The orchids grow in the woods, even though no one is there to admire them. They release their fragrant smell even though no one may be there to appreciate it.”
Prairie Notes© is the official newsletter of Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. All content by Don Young except where otherwise noted.
