Bog Candles

We found these native orchids growing everywhere along the Yellowhead Highway in British Columbia on our way to Edmonton. Their erect spikes are 12-24 inches tall and they grow in boggy areas. Since the white color stands out against the surrounding vegetation, they are aptly called the Bog Candle.

There are three varieties of this species distinguished by the length of the spur, which probably indicates different pollinators. This variety, albiflora, has a spur that is shorter than the lip. Variety dilatata has a spur equal to the length of the lip and variety leucostachys has a spur considerable longer than the lip.

For a description of our trip to Edmonton see: ronaldhanko-orchidhunter.blogspot.com/2010/07/british-col.... Other entries in the blog describe our backpacking trip at Mount Robson Provincial Park the following week.