Thoreau Back Again

It seems, for some reason, as though we keep finding old Henry useful in some way. Imagine that. It has been reported that Thoreau's notes are now being used to compare the flora during the mid 19th century, conveniently situated just as the industrial revolution was gearing up, to modern flora patterns. Researchers found that flowers are blooming on average seven days earlier, and that 27% of the species around Concord during Thoreau's life have vanished. "It’s targeting certain branches in the tree of life. They happen to be our most charismatic species — orchids, mints, gentians, lilies, iris." Great. Out of the 21 species of orchid that Thoreau identified in the Concord area, only seven can now be found. This does not sound good for my recent searches, along with my friend Phil, for triphora trianthaphora. The last time that it was spotted, at least that I could find, in east central Kansas was in the early seventies by Lawrence Magrath. Oh well, at least the orchid hunting is good--the finding, not so much.