Platanthera cristata (Michx.) Lindl.
Crested Orange Bog Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Blephariglottis cristata
Platanthera cristata, commonly known as Crested Orange Bog Orchid, is found across the southeastern United States, from Texas to Florida, and up the east coast to New Hampshire. It produces 2-4 stem leaves and bears a dense inflorescence of multiple showy, bright orange flowers. The labellum is often highly fringed, and a spur protrudes from the back of the flower with a triangular or key-hole shaped opening. It can be found growing in moist meadows, marshes, and prairies, as well as in sphagnum bogs and wooded flats.
Platanthera cristata is considered globally secure, but it is rare or vulnerable throughout much of its range.
It is known to form a natural hybrid with P. blephariglottis, named P. × canbyi, with P. ciliaris, named P. × channellii and with P. chapmanii, named P. × apalachicola.
Pollination
This orchid is pollinated by Bombus pensylvanicus in search of a reward. Because of flower morphology (i.e., the forward facing and close together viscidia) pollinia are attached to the head of the bee.
Ecosystem Type
Bogs, fens, floodplains, marshes, meadows, prairie, 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:
- 4–8 mm
- Sepal length:
- 3–5 mm
- Plant height:
- 18–90 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |