Ragged Fringed Orchid Platanthera lacera
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Habenaria lacera
- Phonetic Spelling
- pla-TAN-ther-uh LASS-er-a
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- narrowly ellipsoid seed capsules about ¾" long containing numerous tiny seeds,
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Attracts:
- Moths
