Triphora trianthophoros
{{Short description|Species of orchid}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Threebirds (Triphora trianthophoros) (17643671299).jpg
| image_caption =
| genus = Triphora (plant)
| species = trianthophoros
| range_map = Triphora trianthophoros distribution.svg
}}
Triphora trianthophoros, the threebirds{{PLANTS|id=TRTR3|taxon=Triphora trianthophora|accessdate=15 December 2015}} or three birds orchid, or nodding pogonia, is a species of terrestrial orchid native to eastern North America.
Description
Triphora trianthophoros is a small, terrestrial, semi-saprophytic orchid.{{cite journal|last=Ramstetter|first=Jennifer|title=Triphora trianthophora (Swartz) Rydb.: Three Birds Orchid|journal=New England Plant Conservation Program Conservation and Research Plan|date=May 2001|url=http://www.newfs.org/conserve/conservation-research-plans/conservation-and-research-plans.html}} The showiest member of its genus, T. trianthophoros has 1-8 (often 3, thus the name) nodding flowers that are roughly 2 cm in size and sit atop stems 8–25 cm tall. Leaves are small (~1 cm X 1.5 cm) and typically dark green to purple. The orchid blooms from July through September, but is infamous for its elusive nature, with ephemeral flowers lasting for only several hours on a few days of the year.{{cite book|last=Brown|first=P.M.|title=Wild Orchids of the Southeastern United States North of Peninsular Florida|date=2004|publisher=University Press of Florida|isbn=0-8130-2749-7|pages=238–239}} It has further been reported that populations across a region synchronize blooming on specific days, making observation of flowering specimens even more difficult.{{cite web|last=Philipps|first=Thomas|title=Three Birds Orchid|url=http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/triphora_trianthophora.shtml|work=Plant of the Week|publisher=USDA Forest Service|access-date=14 May 2014}} Several forms of T. trianthophoros exist, including forma albidoflava (Keenan) with white flowers, forma caerulea (P.M. Brown) with blue flowers, and forma rossii (P.M. Brown) with multi-colored flowers.{{cite journal|last=Keenan|journal=Rhodora|date=1992|volume=94|pages=38–39|title=A New Form of Triphora Trianthophora (Swartz) Rydberg, and Part 3 of Observations on the Ecology of Triphora Trianthophora (Orchidaceae) in New Hampshire}}{{cite journal|last=Brown|first=P.M.|journal=North American Native Orchid Journal|date=2001|volume=7|issue=1|pages=94–95|title=Recent Taxonomic and Distributional Notes From Florida}}{{cite journal|last=Brown|first=P.M.|journal=North American Native Orchid Journal|date=1999|volume=5|issue=1|pages=5|title=Recent Taxonomic and Distributional Notes From Florida}}
Habitat and range
Triphora trianthophoros is native to the eastern North America, ranging from as far south as Panama and north through Central America and the central and eastern United States into Ontario. Despite its wide distribution, the species is rare throughout much of its range and has been given G3G4 (secured, but with cause for concern) conservation status by NatureServe.{{cite journal|last=Maine Department of Conservation Natural Areas Program|title=Triphora trianthophora (Sw.) Rydb.: Nodding Pogonia|journal=Rare Plant Fact Sheet|date=2004}}
Triphora trianthophoros is usually found in mixed deciduous forests. Co-located species often include partridgeberry and beech trees.