Pale Green Orchis

(Platanthera flava)

Pale Green Orchis (Platanthera flava [L.] Lindl.)

Identification: Flowers green to green-white, with a narrow, stubby, rear spur. Lower petal (lip) broad with a squared-off tip and a small tooth on either side of its base. Lateral petals with their tips curled outward. Flowers arranged in a tight, terminal raceme. Upper stem with small, elongate leaves. Lower leaves similar, but larger. Plant 6 to 24 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout eastern North America.

Habitat: Pale Green Orchis is found in wet woods and along river and lake shores.

Flowering period: July to September.

Similar Species: Long Bracted Orchis is easily identified by the reduction of the flower spur to a small bulb at the base of the flower and the elongate leaflike bracts among the flowers of the raceme. The lower petal of Northern Green Orchis and Hooker's Orchis is elongate and pointed at its apex. The lateral petals of Green Adder's Mouth and Bog Twayblade are thin and threadlike.