I'm located north of the Big Thicket and in 2010 was delighted to find a clump of the Crippled Crane Fly orchids growing in the woods near my house.

I watched the plants periodically in hopes of catching the blooms but have never seen it bloom. I've also never noticed an old bloom stalk on the plant but it has distinctive and very attractive foliage.

I am delighted to see a photo of the blooms and wanted to thank you for sharing the article and the photos. When I identified the one I found, I was amazed to see how many different wild orchids are located through out the east Texas area.

I discovered the Grass Pink growing along the Sundew Trail in the Big Thicket Preserve nearly 30 years ago. But this year is the first time I have been able to find any of the other orchids that grow here. The preserve I mentioned in the article is Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve located on Hyatt Lake about 4 mile south of Warren.

I'd love to still be young enough to explore for new plants like that but... I'm sticking closer to home these days. I'm probably 100 miles north of there and near Toledo Bend. It is always fun to find a treasure though. Thanks for sharing.