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Vermont says threatened orchid not seen since 1902 found in Chittenden County
MONTPELIER β A federally threatened species of orchid that hasn't been confirmed in Vermont since 1902 has been found, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife said.
Department botanists confirmed that a population of small whorled pogonia has been documented on Winooski Valley Park District conservation land in Chittenden County. To protect them, officials won't say exactly where the orchids were found.
"Discovering a viable population of a federally threatened species unknown in our state for over a century is astounding," said Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Botanist Bob Popp.
In this undated photo provided by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept., a small whorled pogonia blooms on Winooski Valley Park District conservation land in Vermont. On June 8, 2022, botanists confirmed that a population of the orchids - believed to be extinct in Vermont since 1902 and listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act - has been found in Chittenden County.
The small whorled pogonia is a globally rare orchid historically found across the eastern states and Ontario. Populations in Maine and New Hampshire are found in areas of partial sun, including forest edges and openings.
Previous searches for the species in Vermont have been unsuccessful.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department Assistant Botanist Aaron Marcus said the department was first notified of a possible small whorled pogonia population in Vermont thanks to the observations from last summer of two community scientists: John Gange of Shelburne and Tom Doubleday of Colchester.
Popp, Marcus, Doubleday, and Gange returned to the site together this spring and confirmed the presence of small whorled pogonia, which was in bloom at the time.
The department's next steps will be to work with the Winooski Valley Park District to look for the small whorled pogonia on nearby conservation land and monitor the population to make sure this species has the best possible opportunity to flourish in Vermont's portion of its native range.
