Genus: Triphora

Three Birds Orchid

Triphora is a genus of terrestrial (occasionally epiphytic) orchids containing around 10 species distributed in North and Central America. As a genus, it is primarily photosynthetic but some species are more heavily myco-heterotrophic. Plants have several leaves on a hairless stem, and typically bear 1-3 flowers, although inflorescences of up to 10 flowers are possible. The flowers can be resupinate or not, and the labellum is typically three-lobed. Flowering generally last only one day, and although populations are typically scattered geographically, they are known to flower synchronously.

North American Species in this Genus