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Cressler, Alan

Platanthera lacera

Platanthera lacera (Michx.) G. Don

Green Fringed Orchid, Ragged Fringed Orchid

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Synonym(s): Blephariglotis lacera, Habenaria lacera

USDA Symbol: plla2

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

Whitish-green or creamy-yellow flowers with highly-lacerated, 3-parted lip petals are in spike-like clusters.

This orchid is one of the more common and widespread members of the genus. In the Nova Scotia area this species crosses freely with the Greater Purple Fringed Orchid (Platanthera grandiflora). At least 10 other greenish-flowered species occur in the East, but none with the lip so fringed. Lacera means "torn" referring to the fringed lip.

From the Image Gallery

32 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 32 inches tall.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Habitat: Bogs, wet woods, dry to wet meadows and fields.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

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

Metadata

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

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