Peristylus holochila (Hillebr.) N.Hallé

Hawaiian Bog Orchid

Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Habenaria holochila, Limnorchis holochila, Platanthera holochila

Peristylus holochila, the Hawaiian Bog Orchid, is the rarest of Hawaii's 3 endemic orchids with less than 50 known plants on 3 of the main islands. Plants emerge from a terrestrial tuber with stems up to 50 cm tall that are enclosed at the base by tubular sheaths. The inflorescence consists of inconspicuous greenish flowers in which the dorsal sepal and lateral petals form a hood over the short column. The labellum has a long spur at its base. This orchid grows in open or shaded sites, often in wet forests surrounding bogs.

Peristylus holochila is considered critically imperiled and listed as endangered in Hawaii and protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act. This orchid has been impacted by grazing behavior of cattle and pigs, competition from non-native plants and catastrophic events such as hurricanes.

Pollination

Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported.

Ecosystem Type

Bogs, forests, shrublands or thickets

Characteristics

Habitat:
terrestrial
Leaf arrangement:
  • alternate
  • 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:
Up to 3 mm
Sepal length:
2–5 mm
Plant height:
15–60 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 Critically Imperiled
US Status Listed Endangered
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data