Platanthera zothecina (L.C.Higgins & S.L.Welsh) Kartesz & Gandhi
Alcove Bog Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Habenaria zothecina, Limnorchis zothecina
Platanthera zothecina, the Alcove Bog Orchid, appears to be restricted to the upper Colorado River watershed in southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona and extreme western Colorado. It produces a loose cluster of yellow-green flowers in July and early August on plants that may be up to 60 cm tall. Platanthera zothecina can be distinguished by its spur length, which may be up to twice as long as the labellum, and its succulent, whitish-green leaves usually limited to the lower portion of the stem. This orchid prefers canyon seeps, hanging gardens, and moist stream banks in mixed desert scrub communities.
Platanthera zothecina is considered rare and imperiled throughout its range. Herbivory, rather than threats from human impact, adversely affects fruit set and possibly long-term recruitment for this orchid.
Pollination
Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported.
Ecosystem Type
Meadows, ridges or ledges, seeps, shrublands or thickets, stream bank
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
-
- alternate
- basal
- stem
- 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:
- yellow
- Nectar spur:
- present
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum has a spur
- Labellum length:
- 5–12 mm
- Plant height:
- 15–60 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Imperiled |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |