Malaxis bayardii, or Bayard's adder's-mouth orchid, is a species of orchid native to northeastern North America. It is found from Massachusetts to North Carolina, with isolated populations in Ohio and Nova Scotia. There are historical reports of the plant formerly growing in Vermont and New Jersey, but it seems to have been extirpated in those two states It grows in dry, open woods and pine barrens at elevations of less than 600 m (2000 feet).
Malaxis bayardii is a terrestrial herb up to 26 cm (10.4 inches) tall. It produces a pseudobulb up to 20 mm in diameter. It generally has only one leaf, occasionally two, about halfway up the stem. Flowers are small and green, borne in a raceme of up to 70 flowers. description in Latin, commentary in English; small line drawings showing flowers
Conservation status It is listed as a special concern species and believed extirpated in Connecticut, (Note: This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.) as rare Massachusetts, and as endangered in New Jersey and in New York (state).
References
External links Among Rhode Island Wildflowers, Malaxis bayardii
New York Natural Heritage Program
Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife