Platanthera stricta Lindl.

Modoc Bog Orchid, Slender Bog Orchid

Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Habenaria borealis var. viridiflora, H. saccata, Limnorchis stricta, Platanthera gracilis, P. hyperborea var. viridiflora, P. saccata

Platanthera stricta, commonly known as the Slender Bog Orchid, ranges from the Aleutians and southern Alaska through British Columbia to northern California, and east to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. It grows to 100 cm. The long, slender spike has up to 60 green to yellowish green flowers, commonly marked with purplish brown. The lateral sepals are spreading or bent backward. The dorsal sepal forms a hood with the petals. The inflated sac-like nectar spur is somewhat shorter than the long, narrow labellum. It grows in a variety of wet habitats including meadows, tundra, marshes, bogs, fens, swamps, stream banks, alpine heath, shores, bedrock and seeping slopes, coniferous forests, floodplains, thickets, ditches and roadsides.

Platanthera stricta is considered globally secure.

Pollination

This orchid produces a number of aromatic compounds that may attract a variety of short-tongued insects in search of nectar. Pollinators include Antepirrhoe fasciata, Anthepiscopus longipalplis, Bombus flavifrons, Bombus melanopygus, Empis brachysoma, Empis delumbis, Empis laniventris, Empis virgata, Eustroma fasciata, mosquitoes in the genus Aedes, sweat bee (Lasioglossum sp.) and small unidentified moths. As the insect probes the nectar spur, pollen can be transferred onto the insect to be carried to the stigma of the next flower it visits. Due to the variation in sizes and shape of the pollinators, pollinaria attach to the insects in a variety of ways. Pollinaria attach to the proboscis or upper lip on Bombus species and the compound eyes on moths and butterflies. Species of Empis have been observed with pollinaria on the thorax, feet, compound eyes and mouth parts. Extra floral nectaries located on the flower stem may promote foraging and contact with the reproductive parts more likely.

Ecosystem Type

Alpine or subalpine zones, bogs, disturbed habitats, fens, forests, marshes, meadows, shrublands or thickets, stream bank, swamps, tundra

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
stem
Number of leaves on stem:
seven or more
Form of the labellum:
the labellum is not pouch-like
Labellum outline:
the labellum is simple
Main color of labellum:
green to brown
Nectar spur:
present
Inflorescence type:
the inflorescence is a raceme
Labellum characteristics:
the labellum is simple
Labellum length:
3–9 mm
Sepal length:
3–6.5 mm
Plant height:
Up to 100 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 Secure
US Status N/A
Canadian Status Secure

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data