Cypripedium fasciculatum (Clustered Lady's-slipper orchid)

Although these were found on our second field trip of the Native Orchid Conference symposium in Plumas County, California, I wanted to post these first, since I had never been able to photograph this species in flower.

It is a really neat native orchid, with flowers that droop down almost to the ground. After the flowers are pollinated, the stems begin to rise up above the leaves (known as "bolting"), to raise the seed capsules so that the wind can more easily disperse the tiny seeds...

To see more images and read more about this field trip, check out the latest entry in Jim's Blog...