2. Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. (Loesel’s twayblade, fen orchid)

Pl. 114 g, h; Map 470

Flowering stems 8–25 cm long, the raceme with 2–15 flowers. Leaves 8–15 cm long, lanceolate to elliptic. Sepals 5–6 mm long, yellowish green, the margins curled under. Lateral petals 4–5 mm long, spreading, yellowish green. Lip 4–6 mm long, oblong to obovate, the tip broadly pointed, yellowish green. Capsules 8–11 mm long, the stalks shorter than the capsules. May–June.

Uncommon in the eastern half of the Ozark and Ozark Border Divisions (eastern U.S. west to Nebraska, Canada, Europe). Fens, forested margins of sinkhole ponds, mesic bottomland forests, and marshy stream banks.

This species is less common in Missouri than L. liliifolia. Vegetative plants may be distinguished from that species by their narrower leaves that are more strongly folded along the midvein and are held in a more erect position. In some parts of its range, the species has been shown to self‑pollinate, with the pollen mass becoming exposed and pushed against the stigma by raindrops falling on the column.