Aplectrum hyemale (Putty Root Orchid) sending up a flower spike

These are a few more shots from my trip to the upper part of the county a few days ago.

This particular plant is Aplectrum hyemale or Putty Root Orchid. The leaves appear in the fall, stay on all winter, and disappear in late spring when it blooms. I have outlined the newly formed bloom spike in the above photo. By the middle of May, this budding spike will be about eighteen inches tall and will have more than a dozen flowers. I hope I have the chance to come back and photograph this one in bloom.