Platanthera chapmanii (Small) Luer
Chapman's Fringed Orchid
Facts About
Accepted synonyms: Blephariglottis chapmanii, Habenaria chapmanii
Platanthera chapmanii, commonly known as Chapman’s Fringed Orchid, is widely scattered in northern Florida, Georgia and eastern Texas. The species produces 2-4 leaves on its stem that are present at the time of flowering. It blooms in July through September and bears an inflorescence of 30-65 bright yellow and orange flowers arranged in a dense terminal raceme. The labellum is fringed, spurred and brilliant orange. This orchid may have originated as a hybrid between Platanthera ciliaris and Platanthera cristata. Typically populations are located in wet meadows, roadside ditches, and pine flatlands.
Platanthera chapmanii is considered globally imperiled and possibly extirpated in Georgia.
Pollination
This orchid is pollinated by long-tongued butterflies that visit the flower in search of nectar, such as Eurytides marcellus, Papilio palamedes, Papilio troilus and Phoebis sennae. Unlike other species of Platanthera, pollinia are attached to the butterfly’s proboscis rather than its compound eyes.
Ecosystem Type
Bogs, fens, floodplains, grassland, meadows, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- alternate
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- two
- three
- four
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is fringed
- Main color of labellum:
- orange
- Nectar spur:
- present
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
-
- the labellum has a spur
- the labellum is fringed
- Labellum length:
- 5–10 mm
- Sepal length:
- 4–5 mm
- Plant height:
- Up to 75 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Imperiled |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |