I have been seeing this plant for the past few years at my work - Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, just North of Lanesboro in SE Minnesota. This year I discovered several dozen plants and wanted to find out more information. The DNR lists it as native but not rare. There doesn't seem to be much info about it.

What a surprise and a gift to be fortunate to come across a showy orchis while morel hunting! I saw one lonely little plant.

By the way - the park is in LeSeur County; the distribution map shows no flowers growing there, but it definitely was.

I have never seen this flower before, and came across a clump while hiking yesterday at Sakata Lake State Park. I took a few pictures to identify it later, then notice that there was a whole patch of it along the trail on both sides. There were tons of other woodland wildflowers in bloom there too, but that was the only place along the way that I saw the orchis.

Yeah, I know the USDA maps aren't exactly up-to-date, but they are the only ones available at the moment. Update: we've since replaced USDA maps with our own and continue improving on the mapping process.

While morel hunting on 5/20/10, I found a single plant just south of a boggy area in a plot of deciduous woods. This is the first time I have spotted these in our woods and did not find another today, but will continue searching.

I took a couple of great photos of this flower and took one into the extension office in st.cloud for identification. They were kind enough to send me your link.

I was rummaging around in my own wooded yard today,when I practically stepped upon a large clump of these. What a delight!

I just found today four of these in my wooded back yard. I have a 100x200 ft yard with the back half wooded with aspens. Low and behold there they were blooming away. Many surprises back in the woods.

There are many of these in the Williams Nature Center area in Blue Earth County. They are currently blooming but will be done soon. I ran across these several years ago and tend to notice more masses of these every year!

I recently found this plant in woods near Mayer, Mn. Had no idea what it was. Knew it was a wildflower of some kind. Looked it up on this site.

Saw this flower on state forest land near Rushford today. I am hearing a lot of people (at least in Western Wisconsin) are seeing them for the first time. Same deal for me. And then there's just a few. I find that an interesting fact. I took some photos of it in the rain. It would have been nearly on the Fillmore County/Houston County line.

I grew up wandering in the woods of nothern MN. I had never seen anything like this. But last week, while morel hunting, with no luck, I ran into this plant. I knew right away it was an orchid of some kind, because of the leaves. I sent the picture to my friend in OR who is in wetland conservation, and luckily, a native of MN. She sent me pictures and the name right away. I only saw 3 very small clumps the whole 2 days we were out foraging. Such a beautiful plant!

I have several in bloom in our woods outside Alexandria.

Found this in NW Minnesota (near Detroit Lakes area)in Otter Tail County. Last year I saw only one in the woods (well protected from foot traffic next to a path- fallen tree branches in pile). It was so special to see it. This year I've seen about 6 (3 near a path and 3 scattered in woods). The habitat in the area includes: Red oaks and Maples (mainly maple in the understory), trilliums, hepatica, white ash, basswood, ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), sedge, twisted stalk, Yellow Lady-slippers (found 25 in one area), and other plants. I now will be on the lookout for them more (now that I know the plant's name).

I had seen this plant the last two years while morel hunting but until I found this web site I did not know what it was. Thanks for a great site! It was fun to find such a beautiful small orchid in our woods along the lake. We have several small groups of this plants.

I was taken to a colony of these plants on private property in Nicollet County a couple of days ago. They were growing on a sort of raised area in a ravine, with small rivulets coming down the sides. Flowering was over, but these plants were enormous compared to the others that I've seen wild (once only) and in pictures. Lots of other woodland wildflowers, including yellow lady's slippers (also out of bloom), were also growing there - a wonderful spot. Here's a picture of one of the plants: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aeranthes/5813625334/in/photostream

It's interesting to hear in the comments above that these can be seen in the Williams Nature Center in Blue Earth County. I think that I'll be visiting soon (and next spring)! It's also very interesting to hear of sightings of this species in more northerly parts of Minnesota.

Found Showy Orchis growing in Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge today, after getting a forwarded email tip as to their general location. Counted 11 plants in one area in a moist basswood-maple forest. The blossoms were faded, but still could ID them. Took a waypoint for the refuge for future reference. What a treat to see them!

Found one, perfect specimen, Showy Orchis plant in full bloom, just 10'-0 north of, and 5'-0 above, the bike trail, east side of park, today, April 24, 2012. I have several photos, but none as fine as those you post on this page. I recall finding another specimen about 25 years ago south of Red Wing in a small creek valley. No Morels for us today.

Saw several in bloom on an old logging trail. Very beauitful, hidden on the downslope side beneath a tree facing south. would not have seen it if the morel didn't catch my eye first, over half pound today. first showy orchis i've ever seen!

While my dad, fiance, and son were walking in the woods behind our house we found one on the side of a walking path we've used often for many years. After HOURS of research online I finally figured out what that beautiful flower we found was!

I was hiking out near Lake Hanrehan. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted something light purple and low to the ground. Almost kept walking. So glad I backed up and took a closer look and pictures! What a find. I'm so delighted.

Just found one showy orchis, in bloom, on a slightly used trail in our woods. The plant was nestled in a patch of downy yellow violets, also in bloom, that were nearly hiding it. Only plant I've seen in several years of observing these woods, hope it's a permanent resident now.

I found one small colony of this plant in Chamberlain Woods SNA (Le Sueur County) in early May 2012.

We have seen this patch about ten feet square in our slightly moist, wooded back yard adjacent to some tufty grass and Jack's in the pulpit.

We have a number of plants in various areas of woodland. They appear to be increasing in numbers.

I first saw these in a wood lot in western Scott Co in 1982. I have seen one on my property in Rice Co, as well as another solo one in an adjacent woods. They seem to be solitary. Very delicate, very special.

We have a few Showy Orchis growing in our oak woods. Some were on a path, and I dug and moved them so they would not be walked on or mowed. If you would like photos of the roots or entire plants, as dug, let me know. The fleshy 'roots' resemble those of my wife's cultivated orchids.

Found in woodland borders of property while GPSing the property lines. A very nice surprise!

Just spotted one of these along the road going into the public access to Nelson Lake.

First time coming across this plant! Only saw two, just off the path into the SNA across from the golf course.

Found a patch of these at Tony Schmidt Regional park. Beautiful and delicate!

Found two different patches of the showy orchid in Frontenac State Park! Very neat to see.

I was breaking in my new camera and found a small cluster hidden in the grass off of the walking trails in my backyard. I had never seen one before and spent a half hour searching online to see what it was! I hope they come back in the same spot next year, in greater numbers. :)

I found a one showy orchis plant at a wildlife area under an elm tree in Buffalo. It was a wonderful surprise

Saw several patches of these in the woods for the first time this spring.

I found these growing along a trail in May in Forestville State Park. There were several plants in a group, which I saw for a couple of years in a row. When I went back to check on them the third year, they were gone. I have photos of them.

Currently blooming in Williams Nature Center outside of Mankato. Can be seen just off of the walking path, west loop off of parking lot. 05/12/16

Spotted one today in a very remote area of the park.

Found a small clump in a bluffland deciduous hardwood forest, shaded, damp, cool. Beautiful! Also have a lovely photo if needed.

We photographed a single plant growing on the side of a ravine next to the trail This was the first time any of us had seen this delightful native orchid.

Found several clumps of this unusual plant flowering just off the tar path around Normandale Lake in Bloomington.

I was so happy to see it as I was picking Garlic Mustard. They take around 15 years to mature/flower, so it is a real treat.

I was biking roughly three miles west of Sauk Centre on the Wobegon Trail, when the color caught my eye--the wet, shaded, north-facing slope had a whole colony growing at eye level. Quite a surprise considering how the majority of that stretch of trail is prairie!

I saw just one plant of these years ago as a teenager in Morrison county south and east of Swanville, MN. I had not seen another since until this evening along the Lake Wobegon Trail, about 2 1/2 miles west of Sauk Centre. There were a number of plants on the trail bank. There were several clumps of multiple plants. I will return tomorrow with my camera to 'capture" them on film.

I found a single plant on a heavily wooded hillside right beside a trail in the park. It was on its way out, with a little bit of brown on the ends of the petals. A cool find nonetheless as this was my first time seeing, or even hearing about, these beautiful native orchids.

Relatively undisturbed woodland expanding into field abandoned since 1965.

I have found these little orchids in many places in the metro area. Look for them along the side of trails and look carefully. Sometimes they are very small.

I've found a small orchid type flower on our property that we recently cleared of buckthorn and dead trees. I'm reasonably sure it's a showy orchid. I'm concerned that it is now in direct sunlight because of the cleared area and n an area we'll be spraying shortly for buckthorn control. I'd love to be able to positively identify it and get some information about proper transplanting and care. Can anyone help?

Kate, note that there are a lot of plants that have "orchid-like flowers" to the untrained eye. Many plants in the mint or figwort families fall into that group. If either the leaves, flowers, or general growth form of your plant do not correspond to the images and descriptions above, then you have something else. If you really want confirmation post some images on the Minnesota Wildflowers Facebook page. In either case, showy orchis does not transplant well and will likely die if you move it.

They is a little patch of them in the woods at Red Oak Park hidden from just about anyone but me :)

Discovered one of these several weeks ago along the trail heading up the bluff on a North-facing wooded slope of the bluff. Single solitary plant. Still in bloom today, but shrinking away. I have been using that particular trail for 36 years and had never seen the plant previously anywhere, and as I do a lot of Buckthorn & Bittersweet elimination work on this hill; I am constantly looking at the edges of the trail for invaders. Just tickled to have found it.

My son spotted 2 plants near a mowed trail in the woods. What a heavenly, beautiful delight to behold! I knew it was an orchid by the flowers and simple leaves, but your pictures and descriptions confirmed what it was for us. What a heavenly, beautiful delight to behold. Thank you! We have pictures for confirmation upon request.

Been keeping up with a few clumps a couple of miles away from my house for the last five years now. Interesting to see the dates and amount of growth depending on how the weather has been.

Found three small clumps yesterday while morel hunting. This is the first time I have seen this orchid on our property since we bought it 15 years ago. We also have Showy Ladyslippers growing there-over 20 blooms last year.

I found one plant while looking for morels in the woods close to our house. Our house is close to the St. Croix River, just south of the the Chicago County line. Such a beautiful plant!

Saw a lone plant at Oxbow Park just north of Byron, MN. Was a beautiful surprise to see!

Found 2 plants for first time in the 9 years we have lived on the property.

Found Showy Orchis growing near the road in the section of Crow-Hassan Park Reserve near the remnant big woods.

Saw a beautiful Showy Orchis plant today with many blooms.

We were so happy to come upon a Showy Orchis while walking along a trail In Maplewood State Park!

Our red pine woods along the Mississippi has a number of these beauties. They seem to move from place to place every few years, but we can always find a dozen or so each spring before the deer eat them off. Such a beautiful little treasure.

I saw a few clumps, a dozen flower stalks, in Lebanon Hills park near a walking trail. So pretty.

Two populations of 3 and 4 plants respectively were found in moist north facing bluff forests in Minneopa state park, south of the bison paddacks.

When I saw it I knew it was an orchid , one plant. I had to photograph and look it up when I came home, I am new to MN, so happy to see this.

Found a few blooming in the woods behind Deer Wood Park in Holmen, Wisconsin. Thank you providing a reference photo.

May 26, 2021 Discovered at the edge of woods while photographing trillium.

I was wandering the woods and found an antler, little late to find it but it started me on my search for more and with it I found this plant and had no idea it existed before and now I want to keep checking on it and I hope I can see it in bloom.

Saw one of these in bloom at Beaver Creek Valley State Park this morning. It was right beside the Hole in the Rock Trail, near one of the wooden bridges. Made my day!

So nice to see the Showy Orchis for the first time!

First time coming upon this, super cool to find this native orchid in woods!

Along the dirt path next to Hall Av/Spring Creek

Sibley Marsh, behind Spring Creek Elementary

I find this orchid in a very wet area near Avon, MN. Around here it is blooming around Memorial day in a wooded wet area by a lake. I have not looked for this plant in the last few years though. It was a group of about 25 plants.