• Nestled between Connecticut, Massachusetts and the Atlantic Ocean, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S., covering 1,545 square-miles. Known for its humid maritime climate and flat topography, Rhode Island also features an extensive coastline marked by inlets, as well as numerous small islands. Due to its moist environment, Rhode Island is home to a variety of native orchids, including some that are found nowhere else.
  
  

Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain

• The checkered rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera tesselata) occurs throughout New England, including the counties of Kent, Providence and Washington in Rhode Island. It grows to between 6 and 20 inches in height and bears large, ribbed leaves that superficially resemble those of plantain, a common weed. The foliage bears silvery-white, snakeskin-like markings, which grow progressively more pronounced with age. It blooms from July until August, bearing numerous small, bell-shaped flowers with waxy white petals.
  
  

White Fringed Orchid

• Found in marshy, wet areas, the white fringed orchid (Platanthera blephariglottis) is a rare and threatened species of orchid native to Rhode Island. It varies greatly in size, growing to between 3 inches and 4 feet in height, with a handful of leathery, lance-shaped leaves at its base. In late spring and early summer, white fringed orchids bear large clusters of fringed, nodding flowers that are white in color.
  
  

Rose Pogonia

• The Rose pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides) orchid is found in bogs and marshlands across the Eastern seaboard and Canada. It is a small species, seldom exceeding 1 foot in height, with a single ovate leaf at its base. Within Rhode Island, the rose pogonia orchid blooms in late June, sending up a tall flower stalk topped by several waxy, pale-pink flowers. The flowers bear five petals and one fringed, beard-like lower petal marked with dark-pink spots.
  
  

Northern Slender Ladies' Tresses

• Restricted entirely to Providence County, northern slender ladies' tresses (Spiranthes lacera) is among the rarest species of orchids tht are native to Rhode Island. Unlike many other orchids, this species occurs in dry meadows and shaded woodlands, where it reaches 2 feet in height at maturity. It blooms in late summer and early autumn, sending up a tall flower stalk with dozens of tiny, waxen flowers spiraling upward around the stem.
  
  

Small Purple-Fringed Orchid

• Large and showy, the small purple-fringed orchid (Platanthera psycodes) is known for its massive cluster of frilly, dark-pink flowers. It grows to 3 feet in height, producing dark-green, strap-like leaves at its base. Within its Rhode Island range, the small purple-fringed orchid occurs in Rhode Island's Providence, Kent and Washington counties, where it is found along the edges of streams and in bogs.
  
  

Autumn Coral Root

• Found amid the humus-rich soil of deciduous woodlands, autumn coral root (Corallorhiza odontorhiza) is a small species of orchid native to Providence County, Rhode Island. It blooms in late summer and autumn, bearing tiny chartreuse flowers with maroon and bright-pink speckles. Easily overlooked due to its small size, autumn coral root grows to between 4 and 6 inches in height, with one or two leathery leaves at its base.