Pale Green Orchid Platanthera flava
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Habenaria flava
- Habenaria scutellata
- Perularia bidentata
- Perularia flava
- Perularia scutellata
- Phonetic Spelling
- pla-TAN-ther-uh FLAH-vah
- Description
-
Pale green orchid is a native wildflower in the Orchidaceae (orchid) family found in eastern and central North America. In North Carolina, it is found scattered throughout the state in wet areas such as floodplain forests, hardwood, white-cedar, and cypress swamps, riparian thickets, and wet meadows. There are two varieties of this orchid, one found in the north and one in the southern part of its range.
In ideal conditions, it can form small colonies and spreads by tubers. It is small reaching a mature height of 2 feet and with of 1 foot. In the south, it can bloom spring into fall with tall spikes of understated hooded yellow-green flowers. The flowers have a nectar spur that extends out the back end of the flower and are visited by moths.
It prefers full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions including standing water, and sandy or sandy-peaty soil. It can be difficult to cultivate and is generally not for sale. Does not transplant well.
It is considered threatened or endangered in some states due to loss of habitat.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- var. flava
Found in the southern part of it's range - var. herbiola
Found in the northern part of its range
- var. flava
- var. flava, var. herbiola
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. flava
Found in the southern part of it's range - var. herbiola
Found in the northern part of its range
- var. flava
- var. flava, var. herbiola
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Platanthera
- Species:
- flava
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to E. Central & SE. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- coastal plain of New Jersy and Maryland, south to central Florida, west to southeastern Texas, western Arkansas, eastern Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, western Tennessee, and western Kentucky. Nova Scotia in Canada.
- Wildlife Value:
- Moths such as Anageshna primordialis nectar at the flowers.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Capsule nearly erect, ellipsoidal, to 1/3 inch long, finely ribbed. It contains numerous tiny seeds that are dispersed by the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 2-10 inch long spike of 1/3 inch whitish green or yellowish-green flowers with 3 petals and 3 sepals. The upper sepal curves forward and functions as a protective hood. The lowest petal forms the lower lip that curves forward and downward from the center of the flower forming a spur. The base has a pair of tiny eared lobes at the margins. There is also a small tubercle (or bump) that is found toward the base of the lip. Blooms spring into fall. Pollinated by mosquitoes and moths.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-5 leaves per stem, sessile, sheathing, glabrous, entire, narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, acute at apex, dull green above, slightly shinier below. They are up to 8 inches long and 2 inches wide, becoming smaller as the ascend the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stout central stem is light green and glabrous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
