PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Round-leaved Orchis (Amerorchis rotundifolia)

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Photo by Thomas Meyer

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Round-leaved Orchis (Amerorchis rotundifolia), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in cold, springy mixed conifer swamps. Blooming occurs late-June through late-July, fruiting throughout July. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through July.

Orchis rotundifolia

 
 
 

Round-leaved orchis is an erect forb, 9-25cm tall, with a solidary, stout, robust stem. Its flowers are 1cm in length and 10-15 or more form a loose raceme. The upper sepal and petals, which are 6-10mm long, converge to form a pale pink to white hood above a spurred, flat, 3-lobed lower lip that is typically spotted with dark purple. Fruit capsules are greenish brown, erect, taper at both ends, and hold tiny seeds. It has a single, round to oval basal leaf up to 9cm in long.

Round-leaved orchis is distinguished from other orchids by its broader basal leaf (greater width-to-length ratio) and 3 more or less prominent longitudinal veins in the single leaf.

Blooming occurs late-June through late-July, fruiting throughout July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through July.

Associated species include Thuja occidentalis, Larix laricina, Picea mariana, Cardamine pratensis, Toxicodendron vernix, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Carex tenuiflora, C gynocrates, C lacustris, and Equisetum fluviatile.

Round-leaved orchis is found in cold, springy mixed conifer swamps with wet soils.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid direct disturbance to sensitive microsites such as seeps, cliffs, and moss-covered boulders.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Avoid rapid and dramatic reductions in canopy cover and, basal area, in wet areas to reduce risk of swamping.

Although maintaining high overall forest canopy is important, silvicultural techniques that open small gaps in the canopy may be beneficial to this species. Seedlings and saplings of some species in openings may need to be protected from deer browse.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.