Leafy White Orchis

(Platanthera dilatata)

Leafy White Orchis (Platanthera dilatata [Pursh] Lindl. ex Beck)

Identification: Flowers white with a long rear spur. Lower petal elongate, pointed, and unfringed. Lateral petals unfringed. Upper petal concave, elongate-ovate. Flowers arranged in a tight, terminal raceme. Middle of stem with small leaves. Bottom of stem with leaves larger, elongate, ovate. Plant 1 to 4 feet in height.

Distribution: Across Canada and south in eastern North America to Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Also occurs throughout the Rocky Mountain states.

Habitat: Leafy White Orchis is found in bogs, cool woods, and acid meadows.

Flowering period: May to September.

Similar Species: Several white species of Platanthera have an elongate, unfringed lower petal. The leaves of both One-leaf Rein Orchis and Round-leaved Orchis are broad and confined to the base of the plant. The lower petal of Small Woodland Orchis is broad and lobed at the tip, not pointed.