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McAdoo, David R.

Platanthera orbiculata

Platanthera orbiculata (Pursh) Lindl.

Lesser Roundleaved Orchid, Roundleaf Rein Orchid, Round-leaved Orchid

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Synonym(s): Habenaria orbiculata, Habenaria orbiculata var. lehorsii, Habenaria orbiculata var. menziesii, Lysias orbiculata

USDA Symbol: PLOR4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

1 stalk rising between 2 broadly elliptical or round basal leaves lying on ground, bearing up to 25 white or greenish-white, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in a raceme.

This species has the largest flowers of all western rein orchids. Several kinds of moths feed on nectar in the spur and probably pollinate the flower.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , ID , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SD , TN , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , PE
Native Distribution: British Columbia east to Labrador and south to northern Oregon, northern Idaho, and northwestern Montana; also in northern regions of eastern United States.
Native Habitat: Moist forest floors.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FAC	FAC		FAC	FAC		FAC	FAC	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Platanthera orbiculata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Platanthera orbiculata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Platanthera orbiculata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-25
Research By: TWC Staff

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