I had never seen a Southern Twayblade until last year while hunting for mushrooms in the woods to the east of our house. Only a few inches high with a thin, earthy toned stalk, I probably walked past, or over, these diminutive orchids for years. I don’t remember what it was that made me notice the first one I saw, but once I saw it and adjusted my eyes, these flowers became much easier to spot.
Because Southern Twayblades are so small and not very showy, they blend in with the leaf litter and the mosses where they grow. Because they can be hard to find, they are sometimes considered rare. In a few states they are, but not here in New Jersey. I have learned that the best way to find them is, when looking down, to look for their two opposite leaves, which provide enough contrast from the “background” to pick them out. Still, it’s not easy. Their forked flowers normally are purple to reddish purple which is another reason they blend in and are hard to see. Occasionally, I find uncommon ones which have green flowers.
Southern Twayblades are pollinated mostly by fungus gnats. To most people, fungus gnats are no more than a nuisance, and even by name, they do not seem very appealing. But fungus gnats have their purpose. Besides being passive pollinators to native plants, their larvae feed on soil fungi, helping to decompose organic matter and build up the soil.
Southern Twayblades are the first of the many native orchids to bloom in New Jersey, and are a sign that spring has arrived. I enjoy the challenge of finding them, especially in areas that I have never explored before. They will never become a “popular flower”, and most likely they will always be overlooked , yet, I think this is what makes them special. I am fascinated with “the small things” in nature, like the Southern Twayblade Orchid, because they have a beauty all their own.
