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Quebec Orchids July 2018

The Nelsons (Tom, Jackie and daughters Johanna and Christina) have hunted orchids all across North America and Europe but had never been to the fabled Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec. July 2nd, 2018 found us excitedly headed to that region from our home in New York City. Our first stop was in far northern Maine, where orchid-friend Mark Larocque had generously provided us with directions to some orchid sites. Although our time in Maine was limited, we were able to visit Woodland Bog near Caribou on a blazingly hot day and were rewarded with four species, including Galearis rotundifolia, a very rare species in the Eastern US which usually blooms in early June at this location. The blooming season was about 3 weeks late in 2018, which was definitely to our advantage.

It was then on to Rimouski, Quebec, where Montreal native and orchid expert Benoit Dorion guided me in to a hard-to-access fen at Lac des Joncs (Lake of the Reeds) that harbors 17 species of orchids. We found 9 in bloom! It was amazing to see Arethusa, Yellow Lady's-slippers and Showy lady's-slippers, all in prime bloom at the same time in close proximity - something I had never seen before. Benoit's partner Carolina kindly entertained Jackie and the girls at nearby Bic Provincial Park - where they enjoyed incredible scenery and also found some orchids - while Benoit and I bushwhacked through the fen.

Our next stop was the incredibly scenic Parc National de la Gaspesie, where the Appalachian Range reaches its northern terminus. Benoit had given me directions to a site for the hybrid twayblade Neottia x veltmanii, a real treat. Although not as orchid-rich as Lac des Joncs, we enjoyed exploring the old-growth boreal forest along the Ste. Anne River.

We then headed to the town of Perce, located at the eastern tip of the Gaspe Peninsula. The ferry trip to nearby Bonaventure Island passes by the myriad colonies of seabirds perched on its rocky shores, a remarkable spectacle in our increasingly industrialized world. We spent an entire day exploring the island and found 7 species of orchids. The season was so late that lilacs were blooming on July 7th!

After crossing the mighty St. Lawrence River by ferry, we visited stunning Haute Gorges National Park, near La Malbaie, Quebec, where some of the highest rock faces east of the Rockies are found. We went on a very enjoyable - but grueling - 11 kilometer hike that led through some beautiful orchid-rich woodlands. Hidden deep in the woods was a massive Platanthera orbiculata, a truly stunning sight!

On the way to our final destination of Montreal, we payed a visit to orchid-expert/photographer Sylvain Beausejour, author of the beautifully illustrated "Native Orchids of Quebec and Labrador". Sylvain and I have traded orchid site information for many years but had never met. He has a native population of Platanthera lacera growing on his property, and has introduced Goodyera pubescens and Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens there as well. He also showed us some local orchid populations, making for a very enjoyable afternoon. But most importantly, he put me in touch with his friend Benoit; between the two of them, they insured that our trip was a success!

We found 25 species varieties and formas of orchids:

Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon's-mouth)
Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot)
Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) golden, pure-white lip form
Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata (Spotted Coralroot)
Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot)
Corallorhiza trifida (Early Coralroot)
Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady's-slipper)
Cypripedium parviflorum var.pubescens (Yellow Lady's-slipper
Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper)
Epipactis helleborine (Broad-leaved Helleborine)
Galearis rotundifolia (Small Round-leaved Orchid)
Goodyera pubescens (Rattlesnake Orchid)
Goodyera repens (Lesser Rattlesnake Orchid)
Goodyera tesselata (Checkered Rattlesnake Orchid)
Malaxis unifolia (Green Adder's-mouth)
Neottia convallarioides (Broad-lipped Twayblade)
Neottia cordata (Heart-leaved Twayblade)
Neottia x veltmanii (Veltman's Twayblade)
Platanthera aquilonis (Northern Green Bog Orchid)
Platanthera hookeri (Hooker's Orchid)
Platanthera lacera Ragged orchid)
Platanthera obtusata (Blunt-leafed Rein Orchid)
Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid)
Platanthera psycodes (Small Purple Fringed orchid)
Spiranthes lacer var. lacera (Northern Slender Ladies'-tresses)



Galearis rotundifolia (Small Round-leaved Orchid) Woodland Bog, Caribou Maine, 7/3/2018
Galearis rotundifolia (Small Round-leaved Orchid) Woodland Bog, Caribou Maine, 7/3/2018		 Galearis rotundifolia (Small Round-leaved Orchid) Woodland Bog, Caribou Maine, 7/3/2018
Galearis rotundifolia (Small Round-leaved Orchid) Woodland Bog, Caribou Maine, 7/3/2018		 Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper) in bud. Woodland Bog, Caribou Maine, 7/3/2018
Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper) in bud. Woodland Bog, Caribou Maine, 7/3/2018 		Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady's-slipper) Past-prime blooms. Woodland Bog, Caribou Maine, 7/3/2018
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady's-slipper) Past-prime blooms. Woodland Bog, Caribou Maine, 7/3/2018		 Christina walking along the old railroad bed that leads past Woodland Bog. 7/3/2018
Christina walking along the old railroad bed that leads past Woodland Bog. 7/3/2018 		Benoit Dorian, orchid expert and our Quebec guide, with Arethusa bulbosa. Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Benoit Dorian, orchid expert and our Quebec guide, with Arethusa bulbosa. Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) forma subcaerula. Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) forma subcaerula. Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Arethusa bulbosa (Dragon-mouth) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 View of Lac des Joncs fen. Prime Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) orchid habitat! 7/4/2018
View of Lac des Joncs fen. Prime Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) orchid habitat! 7/4/2018		 Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady's-slipper) note the unusual placenLac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady's-slipper) note the unusual placenLac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Note the unusual placement of the staminode) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Note the unusual placement of the staminode) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Sarracenia purpurea (Pitcher Plant) one of my favorite flowers! Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Sarracenia purpurea (Pitcher Plant) one of my favorite flowers! Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady's-slipper) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 Neottia convallarioides (Broad-lipped Twayblade) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Neottia convallarioides (Broad-lipped Twayblade) Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018 		Neottia convallarioides (Broad-lipped Twayblade) A large colony! Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018
Neottia convallarioides (Broad-lipped Twayblade) A large colony! Lac des Joncs fen 7/4/2018		 The Nelson ladies enjoying scenic Bic Provincial Park while dad was orchid hunting. 7/4/2018
The Nelson ladies enjoying scenic Bic Provincial Park while dad was orchid hunting. 7/4/2018
Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) Bic Provincial Park, Quebec 7/4/2018
Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) Bic Provincial Park, Quebec 7/4/2018 		Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) Bic Provincial Park, Quebec 7/4/2018
Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) Bic Provincial Park, Quebec 7/4/2018 		Malaxis unifolia (White Adder's -Mouth) Bic Provincial Park, Quebec 7/4/2018
Malaxis unifolia (White Adder's -Mouth) Bic Provincial Park, Quebec 7/4/2018		 Hiking in Park National de la Gaspesie, Quebec 7/5/2018
Hiking in Park National de la Gaspesie, Quebec 7/5/2018		 Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady's-slipper) Park National de la Gaspesie, Quebec 7/5/2018
Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady's-slipper) Park National de la Gaspesie, Quebec 7/5/2018		 Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady's-slipper) Park National de la Gaspesie, Quebec 7/5/2018
Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady's-slipper) Park National de la Gaspesie, Quebec 7/5/2018		 Johanna with Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady's-slipper) Park National de la Gaspesie, Quebec 7/5/2018
Johanna with Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady's-slipper) Park National de la Gaspesie, Quebec 7/5/2018		 Massive old-growth Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) Park National Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Massive old-growth Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) Park National Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Tom hiking in Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Tom hiking in Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018		 Osmundia cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern) Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Osmundia cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern) Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018		 Jackie enjoys the solace of nature. Diable River, Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Jackie enjoys the solace of nature. Diable River, Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018		 Neottia x veltmanii (a hybrid between N. convallarioides and N. auriculata) Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Neottia x veltmanii (a hybrid between N. convallarioides and N. auriculata) Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018		 Neottia x veltmanii (a hybrid between N. convallarioides and N. auriculata) Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Neottia x veltmanii (a hybrid between N. convallarioides and N. auriculata) Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018		 Neottia x veltmanii in riparian habitat. Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Neottia x veltmanii in riparian habitat. Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018 		Platanthera aquilonis (Northern Green Bog Orchid) growing next to the N. veltmanii. Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018
Platanthera aquilonis (Northern Green Bog Orchid) growing next to the N. veltmanii. Park National de la Gaspesie 7/5/2018		 View of the town of Perce, Quebec at the eastern end of the Gaspe Peninsula. 7/7/2018
View of the town of Perce, Quebec at the eastern end of the Gaspe Peninsula. 7/7/2018
Perce Rock Pierced Rock as viewed from our hotel 7/7/2018
Perce Rock "Pierced Rock" as viewed from our hotel 7/7/2018		 The arch in Perce Rock, as seen from the Bonaventure Island ferry. 7/8/2018
The arch in Perce Rock, as seen from the Bonaventure Island ferry. 7/8/2018		 The ferry passes the rocky shoals of the island on its way to the dock. 7/8/2018
The ferry passes the rocky shoals of the island on its way to the dock. 7/8/2018 		The ferry to Bonaventure island passes the rocky shoals of the island on its way to the dock. 7/8/2018
The ferry to Bonaventure island passes the rocky shoals of the island on its way to the dock. 7/8/2018 		My orchid buddy Johanna on the hunt for some rare orchids. Bonaventure Island. Perce Rock is visble in the background. 7/8/2018
My orchid buddy Johanna on the hunt for some rare orchids. Bonaventure Island. Perce Rock is visble in the background. 7/8/2018		 Success! Johanna with Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Success! Johanna with Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018		 Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018		 Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii (Vreeland's Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018		 Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018 		Neottia cordata (Heart-Leaved Twayblade) w. Platanthera obtusata (Blunt-Leaf Rein orchid) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Neottia cordata (Heart-Leaved Twayblade) w. Platanthera obtusata (Blunt-Leaf Rein orchid) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018 		Platanthera obtusata (Blunt-Leaf Rein orchid) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Platanthera obtusata (Blunt-Leaf Rein orchid) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018 		Neottia cordata (Heart-Leaved Twayblade) w. Platanthera obtusata (Blunt-Leaf Rein orchid) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Neottia cordata (Heart-Leaved Twayblade) w. Platanthera obtusata (Blunt-Leaf Rein orchid) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018		 Clintonia borealis (Blue-bead Lily) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Clintonia borealis (Blue-bead Lily) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018		 Clintonia borealis (Blue-bead Lily) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018
Clintonia borealis (Blue-bead Lily) Bonaventure Island, Quebec 7/8/2018		 Part of the massive colony of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) that nests on Bonaventure Island. 7/8/2018
Part of the massive colony of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) that nests on Bonaventure Island. 7/8/2018
Close-up of a Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) The colony numbers at least 160,000 birds!
Close-up of a Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) The colony numbers at least 160,000 birds! 		Jackie luxuriating in the fragrance of blooming lilacs in July. 7/8/2018
Jackie luxuriating in the fragrance of blooming lilacs in July. 7/8/2018		 Perce Rock on the return trip in late afternoon. 7/8/2018
Perce Rock on the return trip in late afternoon. 7/8/2018		 Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) golden-yellow pure-white lip form. Perce, Quebec 7/9/2018
Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) golden-yellow pure-white lip form. Perce, Quebec 7/9/2018		 Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) golden-yellow pure-white lip form. Perce, Quebec 7/9/2018
Corallorhiza maculata var.occidentalis (Western Spotted Coralroot) golden-yellow pure-white lip form. Perce, Quebec 7/9/2018		 View from the white-lipped Coralroot site. Mont Ste. Anne, Perce Quebec 7/9/2018
View from the white-lipped Coralroot site. Mont Ste. Anne, Perce Quebec 7/9/2018		 Walking to Perce Rock at low tide. 7/8/2018
Walking to Perce Rock at low tide. 7/8/2018		 Perce Rock at sunset. 7/8/2018
Perce Rock at sunset. 7/8/2018
Tom on the trail in Hautes Gorges National Park, Quebec 7/12/2018
Tom on the trail in Hautes Gorges National Park, Quebec 7/12/2018		 Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid) a massive gaurdian of the forest. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid) a massive gaurdian of the forest. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018 		Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid) The floral raceme was as long as my arm. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid) The floral raceme was as long as my arm. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018		 Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid) close-up of the fascinating flowers. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid) close-up of the fascinating flowers. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018		 Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid) a more typical size specimen. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
Platanthera orbiculata (Pad-leaved Orchid) a more typical size specimen. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018		 Goodyera tesselata (Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain) Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
Goodyera tesselata (Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain) Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018 		Goodyera tesselata (Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain) Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
Goodyera tesselata (Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain) Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018 		Platanthera hookeri (Hooker's Orchid) past-prime specimen. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
Platanthera hookeri (Hooker's Orchid) past-prime specimen. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
The splendor of the Gorges. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
The splendor of the Gorges. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018 		Unparalleled scenery. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018
Unparalleled scenery. Hautes Gorges National Park 7/12/2018 		Tom Nelson and Sylvain Beausejour after orchid hunting. Parc Régional des Chutes Monte à Peine et des Dalles, Quebec 7/14/2018
Tom Nelson and Sylvain Beausejour after orchid hunting. Parc Régional des Chutes Monte à Peine et des Dalles, Quebec 7/14/2018		 Platanthera lacera (Ragged Fringed Orchid) Sylvain Beausejour's property. Sainte-Mélanie, Quebec 7/13/2018
Platanthera lacera (Ragged Fringed Orchid) Sylvain Beausejour's property. Sainte-Mélanie, Quebec 7/13/2018		 Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlesnake Plantain) Sylvain Beausejour's property. Sainte-Mélanie, Quebec 7/13/2018
Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlesnake Plantain) Sylvain Beausejour's property. Sainte-Mélanie, Quebec 7/13/2018 		Platanthera psycodes (Small Purple Fringed orchid) Sainte-Mélanie, Quebec 7/14/2018
Platanthera psycodes (Small Purple Fringed orchid) Sainte-Mélanie, Quebec 7/14/2018		 Platanthera psycodes (Small Purple Fringed orchid) Sainte-Mélanie, Quebec 7/14/2018
Platanthera psycodes (Small Purple Fringed orchid) Sainte-Mélanie, Quebec 7/14/2018		 Lilium canadense (Canada Lily) Parc Régional des Chutes Monte à Peine et des Dalles, Quebec 7/14/2018
Lilium canadense (Canada Lily) Parc Régional des Chutes Monte à Peine et des Dalles, Quebec 7/14/2018
Lilium canadense (Canada Lily) Parc Régional des Chutes Monte à Peine et des Dalles, Quebec 7/14/201
Lilium canadense (Canada Lily) Parc Régional des Chutes Monte à Peine et des Dalles, Quebec 7/14/201		 Johanna and Christina and the St. Lawrence River, complimented by fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)
Johanna and Christina and the St. Lawrence River, complimented by fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)

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