Platanthera brevifolia (Greene) Senghas

Short Flowered Bog Orchid

Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Habenaria brevifolia, Limnorchis brevifolia, Platanthera sparsiflora var. brevifolia

Platanthera brevifolia, the Short Flowered Bog Orchid, is widespread in Mexico and reaches its northern limit in New Mexico. This orchid is easily identified by the leaves, which are reduced to bracts clasping the stem. The inflorescence is a long raceme of relatively large, green to greenish yellow flowers with the petals and dorsal sepal forming a hood over the large column. The labellum is long and linear, but is dwarfed by the much longer curved spur. This orchid prefers drier sites than other western Platantheras and grows in pine-oak woodlands, conifer forests and along banks of intermittent streams.

Platanthera brevifolia is apparently secure across its range where populations are widespread and locally common, although its conservation status in New Mexico has not been reported.

Pollination

Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported.

Ecosystem Type

Forests, stream bank, woodlands

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
  • alternate
  • stem
Number of leaves on stem:
  • two
  • three
  • four
  • five
Form of the labellum:
the labellum is not pouch-like
Labellum outline:
the labellum is simple
Main color of labellum:
  • green to brown
  • yellow
Nectar spur:
present
Inflorescence type:
the inflorescence is a raceme
Labellum characteristics:
the labellum is simple
Labellum length:
9–20 mm
Sepal length:
6–10 mm
Plant height:
16–60 cm
Show All Characteristics

Native to North America

Yes

North American Conservation Status & Distribution

Conservation Status

Select a location to view conservation status:

Conservation and Wetland Status
Global Rank Apparently Secure
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data