Crested Yellow Orchis

(Platanthera cristata)

Crested Yellow Orchis (Platanthera cristata [Michx.] Lindl.)

Identification: Flower yellow, with a relatively short, rear spur. Lower petal rectancular, heavily fringed. Spur approximately equal in length to the fringed lower petal. A pair of fringed, lateral lobes contained within the lateral petals. Upper petal concave, helmet-shaped. Flowers arranged in a tight apical spike. Middle of the stem with small, narrow, pointed leaves. Bottom leaves, larger, but similar in shape. Plant 10 to 30 inches in height.

Distribution: Southern New England in the east to Arkansas in the west, south to Texas and Florida.

Habitat: Crested Yellow Orchis is found in thickets and bogs.

Flowering period: July to August.

Similar Species: The flower spur of Yellow Fringed Orchis is nearly twice as long as the long, fringed lower petal. The fringes of Ragged Fringed Orchis are much longer than those of Crested Yellow Orchis and the interior of the flower lacks fringed lobes.