In June of 2017 I again participated in the annual Orchid Survey which is done each year in during June and July. Every Tuesday morning a team of Master Naturalists assembles at Cedar Ridge Preserve (south of Dallas) to locate, tag and catalog native orchid species.

The orchids in this area are all terrestrial. They grow in the soil near trees, and derive their nourishment from the vast network of fungi which exists underground. These orchids require the natural environment in order to grow. It is extremely difficult to replicate this environment in a greenhouse, and it should not be attempted.

Here are some photos of a recent survey:

Texas Master Naturalists Hexalectris Survey - Cedar Ridge Preserve

Taking the height measurement of a Hexalectris orchid; the plant is very small and hard to spot

Master Naturalists tag the plants that have been catalogued in the survey

H.Warnockii in bloom, Cedar Ridge Preserve, North Texas

An all-white variety of H.Warnockii

Hexalectris arizonica, Cedar Ridge Preserve, North Texas