Wild orchid

A friend of mine that is a naturalist took this photo

That's gorgeous, Vic. Is it local?

Yes, the same guy that took the rattlesnake picture also took these wildflower pictures and gave me permission to post. He has an entire cd of wildflowers. He is a naturalist and used to work at Chimney Rock Park but now works for the state of NC doing watershed type work. I think he still works at Chimney Rock part-time doing nature walks, etc.

Vic, what's his name? I did some painting and wallpapering for a man who worked at CR.

That appears to be a specimen of Showy Orchis. A very nice shot.

Is this a picture of one plant or plants bunched together? I hope it's the second one because that's how I planted mine and I hope that's okay.

That pic is awesome. What is the latin name, and can I acquire one from a place that isn't taken from the wild?

Kelly
I did not post the picture, or take it, but I am fairly certain it is Orchis spectabilis: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/2718/index.html
I have a small one that I just found this year in my woods, and while researching to identify it, I came across a lot of photos that looked like this one (with more purplish petals than the pink ones mine has). I have not seen it commercially offered, but you might try an internet search for it and see. As they age, they get more and more blooms on the scape, up to 7 I think. My little baby one only had one bloom.
Good luck!
Susan

Nice photo Vic. Susan is correct about the name however, the new name for Showy Orchis is now Galearis spectabilis. The genus name Orchis was changed a few years ago.

Here is some more info about this wonderful wildflower.

http://www.weaversites.com/ashevillenatural/showyorchis.html