Native_Orchids_Yellowstone

Mammoth Area Orchids:

Corallorhiza striata (striped coralroot), Piperia unalascensis (Alaska rein orchid), Goodyera oblongifolia (rattlesnake plantain orchid), and in a wet year, Platanthera dilatata (white bog orchid).

Corallorhiza striata (striped coral root). These normally grow in shade, but I have found them in sun along the Narrow Gauge trail in Mammoth. The Piperia unalascensis (Alaska rein orchids) are scattered along the uphill side of the trail. They are very hard to find. The Goodyera oblongifolia (Rattlesnake plantain orchid) are to the south of the Upper Terrace Road under some baby fir trees in the shade. The leaves are evergreen, and there is a large colony. Be very careful if you walk along the road edge! The Platanthera dilatata (white bog orchids) are to the left of the creek at the very start of the Beaver Ponds trail, before you get to the big trail sign.

Striped Coral Root Corallorhiza striata, Narrow Gauge trail, Yellowstone, Mammoth 6/30/15 1:20 PM MDT 4000 × 6016 50mm A macro Pentax lens 15_0530YNP UTM GPS: 12T 0522808 4979499

Striped Coral Root Detail _CFM3564 Corallorhiza striata, Narrow Gauge trail, Mammoth, Yellowstone 5/30/15 1:22 PM MDT 3416 x 2271 50mm A macro Pentax lens 15_0530YNP UTM GPS: 12T 0522808 4979499

Striped Coral Root buds CFM_2686 Corallorhiza striata, Striped coral root, Narrow Gauge trail, Mammoth Yellowstone 5/30/15 1:03 PM MDT 4000 x 6016 f/5.6, 1/200, ISO 400 50mm A macro Pentax lens 15_0530YNP UTM GPS: 12T 0522878 4979768

_CFM1725 \| Piperia unalascensis, Alaska rein orchid, Narrow Gauge trail, Mammoth \| 6/27/14 1:27 PM MDT \| f/5.6 1/160 ISO 800 \| 100mm Pentax macro \| 14_0627YNP GPS location not available	Piperia unalascensis blooming in balsamroot Narrow Gauge trail, Mammoth 7/06/15 9:35 AM MDT f/5.6 1/500 ISO 400 50mm A macro Pentax lens 15_0530YNP UTM GPS: 12 T 522817 4979519	Alaska rein orchid detail _CFM3930 Piperia unalascensis, Narrow Gauge trail, Mammoth, Yellowstone 7/6/15 9:22 AM MDT f/5.6 1/250 ISO 400 50mm A macro Pentax lens 15_0706YNP UTM GPS: 12T 522878 4979718	Alaska rein orchid _CFM3922 Piperia unalascensis, Narrow Gauge trail, Mammoth, Yellowstone 7/6/15 9:09 AM MDT f/5.6 1/125 ISO 400 50mm A macro Pentax lens 15_0706YNP UTM GPS: 12T 522877 4979696
White bog orchid, Platanthera dilatata Mammoth \| 6/21/18

Blooming: late June to July for Corallorhiza striata and Piperia unalascensis, and Platanthera dilatata. Goodyera oblongifolia blooms in early August.

Mammoth Narrow Gauge Trail starts from Beaver Pond Trail, but turn left just before the footbridge and head uphill.

Sniff test: Coral roots always odorless. Alaska rein orchid has a strong pleasant aroma. You probably can't get close to a White bog orchid in Mammoth, but they have a lovely aroma. Rattlesnake plantain orchids are odorless.

Native Orchids of Yellowstone National Park

When and where to find and photograph them Photos and text by Colleen F. Moore cfmoore72@gmail.com