Honestly, if you're pulling your hair out trying to find the moccasin flower orchid rdr2 locations, you aren't alone. It is easily one of the most frustrating parts of the "Duchesses and Other Animals" exotic quest. You're riding through the mud, dodging hillbillies in Butcher Creek, and clicking Eagle Eye until your thumbs hurt, only to find... nothing. Just some regular old burdock root or a stray carrot.
It’s annoying. I know.
The thing about the moccasin flower orchid rdr2 locations is that they aren't just rare; they're actually gated by the game's code in a way that feels like a glitch but is actually intentional. Rockstar basically put a "soft cap" on these flowers. If you're out there trying to be a completionist and collect all ten before Algernon Wasp even asks for them, the game will literally stop spawning them once you hit nine. It's like the game knows you're trying to get ahead and decides to shut the door in your face.
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Where to actually find the Moccasin Flower Orchid
The good news is that they aren't scattered across the whole map. You don't have to go to the desert or the snow. Every single moccasin flower orchid rdr2 locations is tucked away in the Roanoke Ridge area of New Hanover. Specifically, you want to focus on the land surrounding Butcher Creek and the Kamassa River.
If you're looking for a specific starting point, head west of the Van Horn Trading Post. Look at your map for the "R" in New Hanover. Most of the spawns are clustered right under and around that letter.
- Butcher Creek proper: There are about ten different spots right in the immediate vicinity of this lovely, slightly-terrifying village. Check behind the shacks and near the edges of the woods.
- The Kamassa River banks: Follow the river north and south of the village. You'll find them growing near the base of conifers and pines.
- Near Beaver Hollow: If you move slightly north toward where the Murfree Brood hangs out, you'll find a few more tucked into the shadows of the trees.
- Elysian Pool: Check the wooded areas just to the west and northwest of the pool.
The plant itself is pretty distinct once you see it. It has wide leaves at the base and a bright yellow "pouch" petal that looks like a tiny shoe (hence the name). But in the dense, dark greenery of Roanoke Ridge, it blends in perfectly.
The "Ninety Percent" Glitch Explained
Let’s talk about why you might be stuck at 9/10. This is the most common issue players run into. If you have not yet reached "Exotic Request 2" in Algernon Wasp’s questline, the game will prevent you from picking the final orchid.
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You can find nine. You can see the tenth one in your Eagle Eye (maybe), or you might check a known spawn point and find it empty. This isn't a bug. To get that tenth flower to show up, you must actually have the physical list from Algernon in your inventory. If you're currently on Request 1 (the one with the Egrets), you're basically locked out of finishing the Moccasin collection.
It’s a weird bit of pacing. The devs probably wanted to make sure you didn't finish the whole quest in one afternoon by using an online map.
Pro Tips for the Hunt
First, do this at night. I know Butcher Creek is creepy after dark, but the "scent" trails in Eagle Eye are way easier to see when the sun is down. The glowing blue dust sticks out like a sore thumb against the dark forest floor.
Second, use the "Save and Reload" trick if a known spot is empty. If you’re at the right location—say, the little peninsula north of Butcher Creek—and there’s no orchid, just set up a camp. Sleep for the maximum amount of time, save your game manually, and then immediately load that save. This forces the world state to refresh, and more often than not, the orchid will be right there waiting for you.
Also, watch out for the locals. Butcher Creek is a "lawless" area, and if you accidentally trample a goat or look at someone wrong while you're flower picking, the whole town will turn red on your mini-map. It's hard to pick delicate orchids when you're being peppered with buckshot.
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Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you want to get this over with, here is the most efficient path:
- Check your quest log: Make sure you are actually on "Exotic Request 2." If you aren't, go finish the plumes and orchids for Request 1 first.
- Clear your inventory: Make sure you aren't accidentally carrying orchids from a previous run or challenge that might be messing with your count.
- The Butcher Creek Loop: Start at the Elysian Pool, ride north through Butcher Creek, follow the Kamassa River up toward Beaver Hollow, and then loop back down.
- Use a Map: Don't guess. Use a high-quality interactive map to ping the exact coordinates. The spawns are fixed; they don't move. If it's not there, it's either because you've already picked it or you're being "gated" by the quest progress.
Once you have all ten, don't just leave them in your bag. Get back to Saint Denis and hand them over to Algernon. These items don't rot, but there’s always a risk of a random encounter or a death that could complicate things. Get the credit while you have the goods.