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Platanthera orbiculata

Previously known as:

  • Habenaria orbiculata
  • Plantathera macrophylla
Phonetic Spelling
pla-TAN-ther-uh or-bee-kul-AY-tuh
Description

The round-leafed orchid has greenish-white flowers with a long tapering lip that is not fringed. This wildflower can be found in wet woods, wet meadows, and bogs and is widely distributed in Canada and the United States. It requires consistently moist soil.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#shade garden#riparian#wetlands#moist soil#NC native#native garden#mountains#orchid#hillsides#rare#NC Native Pollinator Plant#native orchid#boggy sites#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#shade garden#riparian#wetlands#moist soil#NC native#native garden#mountains#orchid#hillsides#rare#NC Native Pollinator Plant#native orchid#boggy sites#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Platanthera
    Species:
    orbiculata
    Family:
    Orchidaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Leaves are used to treat skin diseases, scrofula, cuts, blisters.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Subarctic America to N. & E. U.S.A
    Distribution:
    United States: Alaska, Idaho, Ill., Ind., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mont., Ohio, Oreg., Pa., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., S. Dak., Tenn., Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., Wyo. Canada: Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island.
    Wildlife Value:
    pollinated by noctuid moths
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    up to 30 conspicuous, greenish-white flowers with a linear, elongated central petal and a long spur which extends out from behind the flower
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Orbicular
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Pair of large round basal leaves that rest flat on the ground
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Water Garden