Sunsets and Orchids

From the Big South Fork to the Blue Ridge Parkway!

The Saharan Dust arrived in East Tennessee June 24-27. Yes, it swirled across the Atlantic Ocean, curled across the Caribbean and turned north into the southern U.S. According to meteorologists, we could expect brilliantly colored sunsets because of the dust in the atmosphere. 

So we thought what better spot to watch a sunset than perched at the edge of the Cumberland Plateau at Sunset Overlook. We left home around 5:30 and headed for Big South Fork to hike 1.3 miles through the woods to our destination: Sunset Overlook. With such a descriptive name, I expected large numbers of photographers with their expensive equipment set up to capture the sunset. Surprise! We had the parking lot, the trail and the view all to ourselves. I must admit that the sunset was quite disappointing. However, to my extreme delight the woods were filled with Mountain Camellias [Stuartia ovata]. It blooms faithfully every year around the summer solstice. 

 The dark woods enhanced the snowy blossoms. This small shrub-like tree grows at low-to-mid elevation in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. It has been seen at Tremont and Sugarlands in the Smokies as well as on the Cumberland Plateau. Notice that in one picture, the stamens are purple with golden yellow anthers, but in the other picture the stamens are white with golden yellow anthers.  The small trees were scattered throughout the woods. 

A little research revealed that Stuartia ovata is rather variable. According to the website Tree Trail [http://www.treetrail.net/stewartia_ovata.html, legendary horticulturist Polly Hill propagated seeds from a mountain camellia. She observed that some of the plants from the same tree exhibited variable traits: some with purple stamens, some with white stamens.  

 We reached the overlook as the sun was setting over the western ridges. Far below us was the Big South Fork meandering through the gorge. Look closely to see the O&W bridge. 

 The sky began to darken and glow with a rich red and golden hue. We hiked back to the parking lot wearing our headlamps to see the trail. Lightening bugs put on a display all through the woods. What a wonderfully peaceful evening. Although we didn't see a spectacular sunset, we experienced the peace of the woods and a comfortable companionship. 

 During the end of June, the Purple Fringed Orchid puts on its show along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We love to escape the valley heat to the higher cooler elevations of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 Our goal: find Large Purple Fringed Orchids [Platanthera grandifolia] and Small Purple Fringed Orchids [Platanthera psychodes]. We were thrilled to find both species very close to each other.

The difference between the two species has nothing to do with their size. Rather, upon close inspection, you will notice the nectary openings differ. P. grandiflora has an oval-shaped opening; whereas P. psychodes has a side-ways figure eight opening. 

 How exciting to find a white or pale version!  

 Both the small and the large orchids thrive in the sun or shade at this high elevation.

 The beauty of these orchids captivate me!

  The vegetation at such a high elevation amazes me with its variety and lushness. 

 Notice how closely gathered the flowers are on the inflorescence of this lovely orchid. 

 The P. grandiflora in the shade were a far deeper purple than those in sunlight. 

 Farther down the parkway we found an abundance of Small Purple Fringed Orchids along the roadside.  

 If you look very closely, you might spot Ms Spider hiding among the flowers. 

  Amazingly, this Small Purple Fringed Orchid is taller and fuller than any Large Purple Fringed Orchid we saw today. 

 I imagine the huge inflorescence must have put on quite a display of color and beauty as it matured and the flowers bloomed!

The search continues for the elusive Platanthera peramoena, the Purple Fringeless Orchid. Somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway this striking orchid in bubblegum pink waits to be discovered....