White Fringed Orchis

(Platanthera blephariglottis)

White Fringed Orchis (Platanthera blephariglottis [Willd.] Lindl.)

Identification: Flowers white with a long rear spur. Lower petal elongate and heavily fringed. Lateral petals unfringed. Upper petal concave, helmet-like. Flowers arranged in a tight, terminal raceme. Middle of stem with small, narrow, leaves. Bottom of stem with leaves larger, but also narrow. Plant 12 to 30 inches in height.

Distribution: Michigan in the west to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the east, southward to Florida and Texas.

Habitat: White Fringed Orchis is found in wet meadows and bogs.

Flowering period: June to September.

Similar Species: White Fringed Orchis might be mistaken for Prairie White Fringed Orchis. However the lateral petals of Prairie White Fringed Orchis are fringed as well as the lower petal. The lateral petals of White Fringed Orchis are not fringed.