Finding that last exotic flower in Red Dead Redemption 2 is enough to make any completionist want to hurl their controller across the room. You've spent hours wading through waist-deep swamp water. You've been snapped at by more American Alligators than you can count. And yet, the rdr2 clamshell orchid location you're looking for seems to have vanished into thin air. Honestly, it’s not just you.
The Clamshell Orchid is notoriously finicky. It doesn’t grow on the ground like a normal plant; it clings to the bark of trees like a parasite. If you're looking at the dirt, you've already lost. You have to look up. Not way up, but at eye level, usually tucked away on the trunks of those gnarled, moss-covered trees in the bayou. It’s a beautiful thing, really—deep purple and white petals with these weird yellow streaks—but it’s a total nightmare to find if you don't know the specific clusters.
Where to Actually Find Clamshell Orchids
Most of these plants are huddled together in the southern parts of Bayou Nwa and the eastern edges of Scarlett Meadows. If you draw a line from Shady Belle over to Caliga Hall, you're basically in the strike zone.
The absolute best spot is the shoreline east of Caliga Hall. If you follow the river delta where the Kamassa River meets the Lannahechee, you’ll find them clinging to the trees right near the water. There’s a high concentration near Crawdad Willie’s too. I usually start at the southern tip of the Bayou and work my way north along the western banks.
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Don't just wander aimlessly. Use Eagle Eye (click both sticks on your controller). These orchids give off a very distinct blue "pollen" or "dust" cloud when you're in Eagle Eye mode. Since they’re often hidden behind palm fronds or thick cypress knees, that blue glow is sometimes the only way you'll spot them before you accidentally walk into a gator.
The Spawn Glitch Nobody Tells You About
Here is the big secret that ruins many 100% runs: the orchids stop spawning.
Seriously. If you are on the "Duchesses and Other Animals" quest line (the one for Algernon Wasp in Saint Denis), the game has a built-in mechanic to prevent you from getting ahead of yourself. If the quest requires 5 Clamshell Orchids and you already have 4 in your inventory, the 5th one might simply not appear in the world until you reach that specific stage of the mission.
It’s annoying. I know. Rockstar likely did this to stop people from accidentally selling or using them, even though you can't even sell orchids. If you’ve checked every single rdr2 clamshell orchid location on a map and nothing is there, check your "Tasks" log. If you aren't on Part 6 of the Exotics quest, the game might be holding out on you.
Specifically Where to Look (The Map Breakdown)
You only need 5 for Algernon, but there are 10 total spawns in the game. Here is a rough guide on where to point your horse:
- The Shady Belle Perimeter: Check the swampy woods just north and west of the Shady Belle camp. There are usually two or three on the trees near the stagnant pools.
- The Lannahechee Shoreline: Directly east of Caliga Hall, follow the coastline. There’s a cluster of about four orchids here, spaced out along the tree line.
- The Delta Islands: There are tiny bits of land where the river breaks apart south of Saint Denis. One or two can be found on the larger trees on these muddy islands.
Tips for the Herbalist 9 Challenge
If you're doing Herbalist 9—which asks you to pick one of every plant—the Clamshell Orchid is a mandatory checkmark. The problem is the game doesn't track which ones you've picked in a checklist. You have to keep your own list.
My advice? Don't pick a single orchid until you are actually on Herbalist 9. If you pick one during the main story for fun, and then later you're trying to finish the challenge, you won't remember if the Clamshell was the one you got or if it was the Spider Orchid. It’s a mess.
Also, watch the weather. It is much easier to see the blue Eagle Eye trail at night or during a light fog. High noon in the bayou creates too many shadows and harsh lighting, making the purple petals blend into the bark.
Why You Should Care
Completing the Exotics quest isn't just for the trophy. You get Algernon's Revolver, which is a unique double-action revolver with a pearl grip and some pretty sweet engravings. Plus, you get an Exotic Hat that... well, it looks like something a crazy person would wear in 1899, but it's a badge of honor.
Basically, grab your varmint rifle (for the gators), head to the swamps south of Saint Denis, and start looking at the trees. Use your map, but trust your eyes more.
If you’re still coming up empty, try fast traveling away to somewhere like Valentine, sleeping for 48 hours, and coming back. This often forces the world to "reset" the plant spawns if they’ve glitched out.
Next Steps for Your Hunt:
- Open your map and place a marker on the shoreline between Caliga Hall and Shady Belle.
- Ensure you have at least one empty slot in your satchel for "Exotics."
- Approach the area on foot to avoid spooking your horse with the nearby alligators.
- Activate Eagle Eye every ten steps while scanning the trunks of large cypress trees.