Platanthera chapmanii (Small) Luer

Chapman's Fringed Orchid

Facts About

Accepted synonyms: Blephariglottis chapmanii, Habenaria chapmanii

Platanthera chapmanii, commonly known as Chapman’s Fringed Orchid, is widely scattered in northern Florida, Georgia and eastern Texas. The species produces 2-4 leaves on its stem that are present at the time of flowering. It blooms in July through September and bears an inflorescence of 30-65 bright yellow and orange flowers arranged in a dense terminal raceme. The labellum is fringed, spurred and brilliant orange. This orchid may have originated as a hybrid between Platanthera ciliaris and Platanthera cristata. Typically populations are located in wet meadows, roadside ditches, and pine flatlands.

Platanthera chapmanii is considered globally imperiled and possibly extirpated in Georgia.

Pollination

This orchid is pollinated by long-tongued butterflies that visit the flower in search of nectar, such as Eurytides marcellus, Papilio palamedes, Papilio troilus and Phoebis sennae. Unlike other species of Platanthera, pollinia are attached to the butterfly’s proboscis rather than its compound eyes.

Ecosystem Type

Bogs, fens, floodplains, grassland, meadows, 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:
5–10 mm
Sepal length:
4–5 mm
Plant height:
Up to 75 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 Imperiled
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data