Description:Widely considered the rarest orchid in eastern North America, the Small Whorled Pogonia is a master of subtlety. It features a single, smooth, grayish-green stem topped with a unique "whorl" of five or six dusty-green leaves. Its flowers are small, yellowish-green, and so understated that they are often overlooked even by experienced botanists. Habitat in the ANFIn the Allegheny National Forest region, this orchid is the ultimate "needle in a haystack." It is a Federally Threatened species that prefers mid-successional or mature deciduous forests, particularly mixed oak stands. It thrives on dry, rocky slopes with acidic soil and a thick layer of leaf litter, often near small, intermittent streamlets or canopy gaps. Because it is so rare, its exact locations are often kept secret by conservationists to protect it from illegal collection. Ecology and the Long NapThe Small Whorled Pogonia has a survival strategy that makes it incredibly difficult to study: prolonged dormancy. A single plant can remain entirely underground for up to 10 years without sending up a single leaf. It survives during these "naps" by relying on a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi (mycorrhizae) that provide it with nutrients. When conditions like light or moisture finally reach an ideal balance, the orchid "reawakens" and emerges to flower once more. IdentificationThe Whorl: Look for a single circle of 5 to 6 leaves at the top of a 10-inch stem. The leaves are a pale, glaucous (waxy) green and often have a slightly "drooping" appearance. The Flower: One or two small, lime-green flowers emerge from the center of the leaf whorl in late May or June. They lack the bright colors or fragrances of other orchids. The Stem: Unlike its common look-alike, the Large Whorled Pogonia (Isotria verticillata), the stem of the Small Whorled Pogonia is a hollow, pale green and never has a purplish tint. Look-alike Alert: It is often mistaken for Indian Cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana). However, Indian Cucumber-root has a thin, wiry stem covered in cobweb-like hairs, whereas the Pogonia's stem is thick, smooth, and fleshy.