Crane-Fly Orchid

Crane-Fly Orchid (Tipularia discolor) is in the Orchids family (Orchidaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,755 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.

Nationally it blooms mainly from July to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Crane-Fly Orchid: observations by month (U.S.)

About Crane-Fly Orchid

Tipularia discolor, the crippled cranefly or crane-fly orchid, is a perennial terrestrial woodland orchid, a member of the family Orchidaceae. It is the only species of the genus Tipularia found in North America. It occurs in the southeastern United States from Texas to Florida, the range extending north into the Ohio Valley and along the Appalachians as far north as the Catskills. There are also isolated populations in Massachusetts and in the Great Lakes region.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Crane-Fly Orchid by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (Orchids)

Pink Lady's SlipperCypripedium acaule

Showy OrchisGalearis spectabilis

Yellow Lady's SlipperCypripedium parviflorum

Spotted CoralrootCorallorhiza maculata

Tuberous GrasspinkCalopogon tuberosus

Downy Rattlesnake PlantainGoodyera pubescens

Showy Lady's SlipperCypripedium reginae

Pale GrasspinkCalopogon pallidus

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ