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Vol. 15, No. 8
A Shoreline Community, Pine Knoll Shores, N. C.
A Native Orchid
In Pine Knoll Shores
By John Fussell
* •
mm
M.
Scientist seeks help in finding elusive blooms
At you may recall reading at this time
last year, there is a very special little orchid
that occurs in the maritime forests of
the Roosevelt Natural Area and on town
property between the Natural Area and
Roosevelt Boulevard. This is the Three
Birds Orchid (scientific name Triphora
trianthophoros).
This orchid may grow to about six inches
high, although more typically they are only
half that—plants may barely top the leaf
litter of the forest. Although small, usually
less than an inch wide, the flowers are very
pretty. They are white, typically tinged with
pink (some may be largely pink). Typically,
a plant has three flowers, thus the name
Three Birds Orchid (and the species epithet
of trianthophoros). The heart-shaped
clasping leaves are less than an inch long.
The Three Birds Orchid occurs across
much of eastern North America, but has a
very spotty range. It is considered to be endangered or threatened in many states.
In North Carolina, it is found mostly in the mountains, especially the southern
and central mountains.
East of the mountains,
the species is essentially
absent. Curiously, two
little outposts of the
species occur far eastward
of the mountains, actually
Blooming Three Birds Orchid—Waf/Ve
Orchid ConferenceA/Vikimedia Commons/Public
Domain
(Continued on page 7)
The window of opportunity for a sighting of
the Three Birds Orchid is narrow, and your
help in documenting its continued presence
j in our area is much appreciated. If you are
able to get a picture of your sighting, please ^
send it to jofuss(gec.rr.com with any details
you can share.
FROM THE DESK OF THE MAYOR
Tacks in the Road
By Mayor John Brodman
My two-cents worth
John Brodman, our new mayor, was sworn into
office at the regularly scheduled meeting of the
Board of Commissioners on July 8, 2020, which
was only three business days before the deadline for
submissions for the August issue o/Tbe Shoreline.
Beginning next month, John assures us that he will
continue to honor the long-standing tradition of
writing a monthly column to keep citizens informed
about his views on the issues facing the town. This
month, however, we are using the mayor’s column
to share with you the brief remarks made by John
after his swearing-in and a brief synopsis of his
background.—The Editors
August 2020
Mayor John Brodman
Remarks by John Brodman after being sworn
into office as Mayor of Pine Knoll Shores at the
July 8, 2020 meeting of the Board of Commissioners
Its late, so I’ll be brief. First I want to thank Acting Mayor Clark Edwards,
the Mayoral Search Committee and the Board of Commissioners for honoring
me with this opportunity to serve as your mayor. I accept the appointment with
humility.
Nevertheless, I have to point out that this is a highly unusual set of
circumstances and not an ideal way for anybody to become mayor. I, like
everyone else here, regret the sudden passing of our former mayor, Ken Jones. 1
(Continued on page 11)
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