You’ve likely walked by them without noticing
By Carrie McClelland
On the Sunnydale Road in West Dawson, there is an interpretive site called Orchid Acres. The site will earn its name in mid-June.
Carrie McClelland is the Lead Education and Outreach biologist with the Government of Yukon Department of Environment. She loves learning about nature and sharing that knowledge with others.
On the Sunnydale Road in West Dawson, there is an interpretive site called Orchid Acres. There, a two-kilometre trail wanders down the slope to a set of viewing platforms that overlook the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike rivers and a slough where sternwheelers used to overwinter. This is a lovely walk at any time of the year, offering the opportunity to look across the river at Dawson City and imagine a community of 30,000 people in its heyday.
The site will earn its name in mid-June: Orchid Acres. The trail carefully navigates around thousands of Spotted Lady’s Slipper orchids (Cypripedium guttatum). Though this orchid isn’t rare in the Yukon, it is unusual to find such a large collection in one place. A lucky hiker might only come across one or two—maybe a small cluster of a dozen. But the interpretive trail at Orchid Acres gives you amazing access to these flowers without the risk of damaging the plants.
The display in West Dawson is spectacular and unique, but orchids are found in many other places across the territory. The Yukon is home to 18 species of native orchids, though they often go unnoticed by the average hiker because of their diminutive size. Yukon’s orchids aren’t the big colourful flowers you might think of from bridal bouquets. While some stand out, like the bright magenta Calypso (Calypso bulbosa), others have tiny, greenish flowers smaller than a fingernail.
Though not uncommon in the Yukon, extra care should be taken around orchids since they are sensitive to disturbance and require special growing conditions. Orchids have a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi. In this mutually-beneficial partnership, the orchid will provide sugars to the fungus through photosynthesis, while the fungus helps extract nutrients from the soil that the orchid needs. To do so, the orchid and the fungus have specialized shared root-like structures called mycorrhizae.
Though gardeners may be enticed to add this native perennial flower to their gardens, orchids don’t transplant well. They prefer sheltered, undisturbed forests and take many years to flower. The mycorrhizal relationship between orchid and fungus takes years to form and does not respond well to disturbance. For this reason, it’s best to leave the orchids where you find them.
The Yukon’s orchids aren’t necessarily rare, but they are still a special sight to see. You can contribute to our knowledge of these elusive plants by taking photos and uploading your observations to iNaturalist. Because of their sensitive growing requirements, you need to be in the right place at the right time to catch orchids in bloom.
Take only pictures and leave the flowers for all to enjoy.The Government of Yukon’s Wildlife Viewing Program offers guided walks to look for and identify orchids along our trails. Visit Yukon.ca/wild-discoveries for all our events.
