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Two rare species were recently found on working lands in Van Buren County

Matt Fenex manages a 170-acre property in Spencer, Tennessee for quail, deer and turkey. But little did he know, simply owning the land would not only protect various wildlife but also safeguard a conservation goldmine — two threatened species of orchids

The Yellow Fringed Orchid and the White Fringeless Orchid, both perennial flowers found in the Southeast, were discovered on Fenex’s property this past July.

Due to habitat degradation, these species of orchids are scarcely seen across their native range. The Yellow Fringed Orchid is state listed as threatened, while the White Fringeless Orchid holds a federally threatened status.

Kris Oja, Quail Forever Tennessee coordinating forester, said these orchid species are typically found on public land where they are already protected. Rarely are they discovered on working landscapes, making its discovery on the Fenex property significant.

After noticing promising riparian features on the Fenex property, Oja contacted partners for U.S Fish and Wildlife biologist, Robby Cogburn, about a unique Appalachian acidic seep there— a low gradient flat-like wetland on top of the plateau ideal for orchid growth.

During a site visit in July, the orchid’s flowering month, the two discovered clusters of Yellow Fringed and White Fringeless Orchids nestled in sunny patches within the seep, on the outer edge of the property.

“It was a really big deal,” Cogburn said. “Finding a new orchid occurrence on a property that is interested in working with us could further the recovery goals of the species.”

Fortunately, Oja said the same practices used to promote quail, deer, and turkey will also benefit orchids in the long run. Woody encroachment can be the nail in the coffin for both orchids and quail. Oja said they plan to implement a light tree thinning as well as selective tree removal to gradually increase sunlight to the ground and create space for the orchids to spread out and populate, ultimately improving quail habitat.

“I guess that's the beauty of working lands is you can really make the patchwork and make your recommendations where you need to be and make it work as one big system,” Oja said.

Another challenge Cogburn said these orchid species face is poaching.

Because the Yellow Fringed and White Fringeless Orchid are so rare and beautiful, selling them can go for a high dollar. While the state of Tennessee issues permits to sell these orchids within the state, some permit holders illegally trespass on private property to dig them up and sell them out of state.

Apart from its unlawful nature, Cogburn said digging up orchids can be harmful to the plant as they rely on a very specific soil type. If an orchid is removed from its home, it may not survive.

“Poaching is a big issue because you're not just taking seeds or that year’s plant away, you're taking 15 years of plants, seed production, and the soil, which is critically important,” Cogburn said.

Going forward, keeping Fenex’s goals at the forefront of the project, Oja and Cogburn said the management will remain minimal to avoid stressing these fragile flowers.

Apart from its successful discovery and hopeful restoration, the partnership between Quail Forever and USFW is something Oja said is critically important to take away from the whole project. Without their partnership these orchids may have never been protected, let alone discovered.

With careful management, Fenex’s land will hopefully continue to support both wildlife and threatened plants, ensuring a future where quail, deer, turkey and orchids can thrive side by side.

Rachel Holt is a regional WLFW communications specialist at Quail Forever. She can be reached at rholt@quailforever.org.
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