Platanthera michaelii (Greene) R.M.Bateman
Michael's Rein Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Habenaria michaelii, Piperia michaelii, Piperia elongata subsp. michaelii
Platanthera michaelii, Michael's Rein Orchid, is endemic to California where it grows among coastal scrub and coniferous forests and extends inland to the Sierra Nevada foothills. This orchid has 3-4 basal leaves that usually fade before the flowers fully open. The inflorescence has numerous yellow-green flowers that are fragrant in the evening. The labellum is widely triangular with a much longer spur that points downward. Inland populations are often found in oak woodlands and bloom earlier than the coastal plants which have denser inflorescences.
Platanthera michaelii is considered vulnerable across its range where urban development is the primary threat.
Pollination
Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported.
Ecosystem Type
Forests, shrublands or thickets, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- basal
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- three
- four
- 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 spike
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is simple
- Labellum length:
- 1.7–6 mm
- Sepal length:
- 2–4.8 mm
- Plant height:
- 9–70 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Vulnerable |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |