You've finally reached the end of the line. The final request. After hours of hunting tiny birds and wading through alligator-infested swamps for Algernon Wasp, the "Duchesses and Other Animals" mission hits its final phase. And honestly, it's a bit of a nightmare. You're looking for the queen's orchid rdr2 location, and if you’re like most people, you’re wandering around the Bayou Nwa getting frustrated because the damn things just aren't appearing where the maps say they should be.
Here is the thing. This isn't a glitch. Rockstar built a specific "soft cap" into the game that stops these orchids from spawning if you try to hoard them too early. If you need five and you already have four in your satchel, the fifth one simply vanishes from the world until you actually have the active quest in your log.
It's annoying. It's tedious. But it's how the game works.
Where to Actually Find the Queen's Orchid
You aren't going to find these hanging off trees like the Vanilla Flowers or the Lady of the Night orchids. The Queen's Orchid (Thelymitra Crinita) is a ground-dweller. It looks like a bright pink-and-white flower, and it's basically exclusive to the swampy wetlands of Bayou Nwa, specifically around the shores of Lagras and Lakay.
Most of them are tucked away on small islands or right at the muddy edge of the water.
The Best Spots to Check
Don't waste time scouring the entire map. There are about 10 possible spawn points, but you only need five for the final exotic request.
- The Lagras Islands: Look at the "A" and "G" in the word "Lagras" on your map. There is a small island right there where two orchids usually grow side-by-side. It’s the easiest "double dip" in the game.
- The Lakay Waterfront: Head to the tiny settlement of Lakay. Just south of the buildings, near the water’s edge, you’ll find a couple more.
- North of Saint Denis: If you follow the train tracks leading north out of the city, check the swampy pockets to the west of the tracks before you hit the main body of the Kamassa River.
Eagle Eye is your best friend here. These flowers emit those little yellow "scent" particles that float upward. Because the swamp is so dense with ferns and mud, spotting a pink flower with your naked eyes is a fool's errand. Use the R3/L3 click (or your PC equivalent) constantly.
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The "One-Less" Spawning Rule
Let’s talk about the mechanic that breaks everyone's spirit.
If you are trying to be proactive and collect everything before you meet Algernon Wasp, the game will let you pick up exactly four Queen's Orchids. The moment you pick that fourth one, every other Queen's Orchid in the game world will despawn. They won't come back if you sleep for three days. They won't come back if you save and reload.
They only return once you have officially reached Exotic Request 5.
Why? Because Rockstar wants you to suffer. Just kidding—it's likely a way to ensure the quest scripts trigger correctly. If you find yourself stuck at 4/5, stop looking. Go finish the previous four lists of plumes and other orchids. Once you hand in the Sparrow Egg Orchids and the other Tier 4 items, the Queen's Orchids will magically reappear in their usual spots.
Avoiding Gator Deaths
Look, hunting in Bayou Nwa is basically an invitation for an American Alligator to ruin your day.
- Bring the Varmint Rifle: You'll need it for the birds anyway, but it's also good for "warning shots" to scare away gators if they aren't right on top of you.
- Hunt at Night? Some players swear by it because the glowing particles from Eagle Eye stand out more against the dark ground.
- Use a Canoe: A few of these locations are in the middle of deep water near Lakay. You can find a canoe docked there. It's much safer than swimming through "gator soup."
The Final Shopping List
When you finally get to this stage (Part 5), you aren't just looking for the Queen's Orchid. Algernon is a demanding man. You'll need:
- 5 Queen's Orchids
- 5 Clamshell Orchids (Found east of Caliga Hall)
- 5 Dragon's Mouth Orchids (Found in Grizzlies East, specifically around O'Creagh's Run)
- 10 Sparrow Egg Orchids (Found north of Annesburg/Roanoke Ridge)
The reward for all this misery is Algernon's Revolver—which is a unique Double-Action Revolver with a pearl grip—and the Exotic Hat. Is the hat ugly? Yes, arguably. Does it count toward 100% completion? Absolutely.
If you’ve picked a flower and it didn't count, or you accidentally sold it (though you usually can't sell quest orchids), don't panic. Orchids generally respawn every 3 in-game days. If a spot is empty, ride to Saint Denis, rent a room, sleep as much as the game allows, and then ride back.
Just remember: if you're at the cap, no amount of sleeping will help. You have to progress the quest.
Once you have all five, head back to the greenhouse in Saint Denis. You'll get a cutscene that makes you realize Algernon might be even more eccentric than he looks. But hey, at least you never have to pick another flower again. Unless you’re going for the Herbalist 9 challenge, in which case... sorry. You have to find them all one more time.
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Next steps for your 100% run: - If you haven't finished the bird plumes yet, head to the western edge of Bayou Nwa during mid-day to find Snowy, Little, and Reddish Egrets.
- Mark the locations of the Sparrow Egg Orchids in Roanoke Ridge now, as they are much harder to spot in the forest than the swamp flowers.