Platanthera integra (Nutt.) A. Gray et L.C. Beck

Golden Frog Arrow, Yellow Fringeless Orchid

Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Habenaria integra

Platanthera integra, commonly called Yellow Fringeless Orchid, is distributed in the southeastern United States and around the Gulf Coast, from Texas to North Carolina, with disjunct populations in New Jersey. It produces 1-3 spreading stem leaves which abruptly reduce to bracts further up the stem. When flowering in late summer or early fall, it bears a dense inflorescence of distinctively orange or yellow flowers with an entire (unfringed) or slightly lacerated labellum. It can be found growing in wet woods and pine barrens, often favoring sandy soils.

Platanthera integra is considered globally vulnerable, and is rare throughout parts of its range. It is thought to be most closely related to P. clavellata and P. nivea, with which it shares a similar column structure. It can be distinguished from P. cilaris and P. cristata, both of which also have yellow or orange flowers, by its entire, unfringed labellum.

Pollination

Bombus pensylvanicus has been identified as a pollinator of this orchid.

Ecosystem Type

Bogs, fens, floodplains, marshes, meadows, woodlands

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
alternate
Number of leaves on stem:
  • one
  • two
  • three
Form of the labellum:
the labellum is not pouch-like
Labellum outline:
the labellum is simple
Main color of labellum:
  • orange
  • yellow
Nectar spur:
present
Inflorescence type:
the inflorescence is a raceme
Labellum characteristics:
the labellum has a spur
Labellum length:
3–5 mm
Sepal length:
Up to 5 mm
Plant height:
20–75 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 Vulnerable
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data