Corallorhiza mertensiana    "Western coralroot"    "Merten's coralroot"

This orchid comes up "like asparagus" (in colonies) in mid-to-late June. The blossoms seem to be best in late June but some are present in the 3rd week of July. The shoots come up in early June, but I can't distinguish them from the spotted coralroot.  This seems to be very common in Yellowstone, but maybe I have just been there at the right time. 

  • _CFM1228
    • |
  • Coralroot, Old Faithful area, Orchid Corallorhiza mertensiana, Western coralroot, Yellowstone
    • |
  • 6/21/14 2:39:26 PM MDT
    • |
  • 4000 × 6016 (24.1 MP)
    • |
  • 29.66 MB
    • |
  • YNP > 14_0621
  • _CFM1230 - Version 2
    • |
  • Coralroot, Old Faithful area, Orchid Corallorhiza mertensiana, Western coralroot, Yellowstone
    • |
  • 6/21/14 2:49:06 PM MDT
    • |
  • 5337 × 2105 (11.2 MP)
    • |
  • 28.36 MB
    • |
  • YNP > 14_0621
  • _CFM1333
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  • Coralroot, Old Faithful area, Orchid Corallorhiza mertensiana, Western coralroot, Yellowstone
    • |
  • 6/22/14 1:06:35 PM MDT
    • |
  • 6016 × 4000 (24.1 MP)
    • |
  • 30.72 MB
    • |
  • YNP > 14_0622
  • _CFM1524
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  • Corallorhiza maculata, spotted coralroot, Storm point, Yellowstone
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  • 6/25/14 9:51:57 AM MDT
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  • 4000 × 6016 (24.1 MP)
    • |
  • 27.97 MB
    • |
  • YNP > 14_0625
  • _CFM1991
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  • Coral root orchid, Corallorhiza mertensiana, near Indian Pond, Orchid, Yellowstone
    • |
  • 7/22/14 3:13:45 PM MDT
    • |
  • 4000 × 6016 (24.1 MP)
    • |
  • 30.46 MB
    • |
  • YNP > 14_0722

Locations and dates: 

Old Faithful: Large colony on edge of woods between Firehole River and cabins. Follow the old sewer/water line and look under the trees. Late June 2014, just starting to bloom.

Canyon: North rim, where the trail from cabins through the woods exits to the parking lot, large colony on both sides of the trail. Late June 2014, not quite blooming yet. 

Lake / Indian Pond: Headed East, take the 2nd pullout after the Storm Point trailhead sign, on the south side of the road. Wander down just about 10-20 yards from the road into the woods. Look around logs. This is in a cold area of woods. July 22, 2014 in full bloom. 

Sniff test: no fragrance that I can detect.