Plant DetailShow Menu

Platanthera lacera is often confused with:
Platanthera ciliaris Flower - Closeup - Late summer - Croatan National Forest - NC
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hibiscus moscheutos Native habitat
Phlox maculata Form in native habitat
Saururus cernuus Saururus cernuus

Platanthera lacera

Previously known as:

  • Habenaria lacera
Phonetic Spelling
pla-TAN-ther-uh LASS-er-a
Description

This wetland orchid is widely distributed throughout eastern and central Canada and the United States. The fringed appearance of the floral cluster gives it a unique appearance. It grows best in full or partial sun, moist conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand, silt-loam, peaty material, or some gravel. Native habitats include moist prairies and sand prairies, sandy swamps, moist open woodlands, shrubby bogs,  low areas along streams, sandy fields,  and ditches.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#riparian#fall interest#wetlands#stream banks#moist soil#NC native#summer flowers#cream flowers#swamps#pond garden#acidic soils tolerant#prairies#peat#NC Native Pollinator Plant#sandy soils tolerant#native orchid#partial shade tolerant#perennial#boggy sites#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#pink flowers#riparian#fall interest#wetlands#stream banks#moist soil#NC native#summer flowers#cream flowers#swamps#pond garden#acidic soils tolerant#prairies#peat#NC Native Pollinator Plant#sandy soils tolerant#native orchid#partial shade tolerant#perennial#boggy sites#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Platanthera
    Species:
    lacera
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and central North America
    Distribution:
    United States: Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Ill., Ind., Kans., Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis. Canada: Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract moths.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    narrowly ellipsoid seed capsules about ¾" long containing numerous tiny seeds,
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Creamy to yellowish-green flowers in a spike-like cluster; lacerated lower lip creates a fringed appearance. Pollinated by moths.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2-5 alternate leaves along each stem, developing from sheaths. They are 2-8" long and ½–2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the central stem with the upper leaves being bract-like.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stout central stem is light green, terete and glabrous.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Pond
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Moths