Chinese Ground Orchid

This perennial spring-blooming orchid, called Bletilla Striata, is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 (I'm in zone 6). It is a good woodland edging plant that thrives in rich, moist soil in part-shade. This member of the orchid family is native to China and Japan where it was used medicinally. I planted this last year in my shade bed and, as you can see, it bloomed again this year. The flowers are actually fairly small but certainly do look like orchids.

Canon Rebel T1i. 180mm macro lens. F/7.1 for 1/13 sec, ISO 200. Tripod mounted. Natural lighting with a fair amount of backlighting from sun shining through trees.