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Platanthera leucophaea
Platanthera leucophaea (Nutt.) Lindl.
Prairie White Fringed Orchid, Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid, White Prairie Fringed Orchid
Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
Synonym(s): Blephariglotis leucophaea, Habenaria leucophaea
USDA Symbol: PLLE2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Platanthera leucophaea is a white Platanthera with a 3-parted, deeply fringed lip petal.
Originally found in moist tallgrass prairie, sedge meadows, and bogs/fens from southern Ontario southwest to Oklahoma and southeast to Virginia, this orchid is now listed as threatened in the US and an endangered species by Canada's Species at Risk Act. Due to habitat loss, its populations are now scattered.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: IA , IL , IN , ME , MI , MO , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , VA , WICanada: MB , ON
Native Habitat: Bog/Fen
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Threatened & Endangered Status
USFWS Species Profile: Q2GGStatus:National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | FACW | OBL | FACW | FACW |
Web Reference
Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 35 - Go Orchids (2019) North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC)
Webref 12 - Great Lakes Ecological Assessment: Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive Species (2012) USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Platanthera leucophaea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Platanthera leucophaea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Platanthera leucophaea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-06Research By: TWC Staff