Tag Archives: Phantom Orchid

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I've never found this native wildflower. Peter Baye photographed Tincture Plant, Collinsia tinctoria.

And here's a bonus wildflower sighting, a Phantom Orchid, Cephalanthera austiniae  photographed by Peter. The native orchid is also called a Snow Orchid - a real treat to see.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

It's foggy today, with rain forecast for tomorrow!

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Like a ghost in the deep forest, this Phantom Orchid, Cephalanthera austiniae, is a gem to discover. I  have never seen one but I hope to rectify that. Laura Baker photographed this beauty.

These orchids have no chlorophyll. They depend on a symbiotic relationship with fungi to thrive.

Thanks to Laura for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

If you'd like to watch my presentation of the rarest and most beautiful Sightings photographs, which was sponsored by the Mendocino Land Trust, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2492W3BJIQ

It's sunny today but the wind is blowing very hard. No need to comb your hair, as the wind will have its way!

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Laura Baker found this rare beauty, a Phantom Orchid, Cephalantheru austinae. If you look closely, there is a Click beetle on top.

Phantom Orchid, Cephalanthera austinae, with a click beetle by Laura BakerHere's what Laura said about this flower:

"The Phantom orchid is well-named since it is pure white except for some yellow in the flower parts. It has an interesting and complex relationship in the forest ecosystem as a mycotroph. The orchid gets its nutrition from a fungus which, in turn, must get its food in the form of sugars from green plants. In this case, most likely the Douglas fir tree under which this orchid bloomed.”

A treasure in the forest! Thanks to Laura for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

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Peter Baye photographed this rare wildflower. It's a Phantom Orchid, Cephalanthera austiniae.

Phantom Orchid, Cephalanthera austinae, Peter Baye

Peter hasn't seen one in seven years so he was very pleased to discover it. This orchid needs a fungus in the soil to survive, just like the Calypso Orchid. It is found in the shade of conifer forests.

Thanks to Peter for allowing me to share his photo with you here.