Liparis loeselii (Loesel's Twayblade)
| Also known as: | Yellow Widelip Orchid, Bog Twayblade, Fen Orchid |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Liparis |
| Family: | Orchidaceae (Orchid) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; wet meadows, fens, swamps, along shores |
| Bloom season: | June - July |
| Plant height: | 3 to 10 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: OBL MW: FACW NCNE: FACW |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/liparis-loeseli-5.jpg)
A raceme of 3 to 19 glowing, greenish yellow flowers, less than ½ inch long. Flowers are a spidery array of 3 pale sepals and 2 thread-like petals set about a wider, curled lower lip and a pollinia tipped center column
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/liparis-loeseli-2.jpg)
There are 2 basal leaves, oblong-elliptic, gently pointed, 1½ to 9½ inches long, up to 1½ inches wide, glossy on the upper surface, and sheathing lower stem. Leaves and stem are hairless. The stem is angled.
Notes:
The leaves might be confused with L. lilifolia, but Loesel's Twayblade is almost always on wetter sites. Note that the “postage stamp” remnant where some of these images were taken is dying, due to deer food clover mix from a sportman's department being carelessly tossed on it. So not only is the deer overpopulation problem made worse, but the site is now being overrun with weedy invasives. It just goes to show that good intentions can backfire if there isn't much thought put into it.
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More photos
Loesel's Twayblade plantPhotos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken on Red Lake peatlands north of Washkish, and from a postage stamp remnant in Lino Lakes
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2014-06-07 11:45:41
I think I may have spotted this plant at Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area. Didn't see any leaves but leaf litter surrounding it so they may be hidden. Going back to check it out!
on: 2015-07-03 14:19:16
With MOU birding group led by Kim Eckert and Craig Mandell. Craig spotted it on the edge of the road. June 18 or 19.
on: 2015-08-06 06:49:07
photo was submitted to Mark Gernes at MPCA, who made ID
on: 2020-06-21 14:41:10
Found with Northern Green Bog Orchid, porcupine sedge, small white lady slippers, and many other cool plants!
on: 2020-07-20 11:30:40
I found a single plant on a thick sedge mat. There might have been more but it was very hard to walk through and the cattails were very very thick in places. I also found many L. lilifolia in a different part of the same part 48 acre property I was on which was interesting.
on: 2022-06-20 11:46:59
Found in a grouping of 3 plants on my property (wooded acreage) near Prior Lake, MN. Located near a roadside drainage ditch in an area with milkweed, grasses and giant ragweed. I haven't observed this plant before nor have I seen any other ones nearby. A very distinctive little plant.
on: 2024-06-20 18:10:30
I found a patch of these blooming for the first time today on our farm.