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. We're working on that, though.

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!