Ragged Fringed Orchis

(Platanthera lacera)

Ragged Fringed Orchis (Platanthera lacera [Michx.] G. Don)

Identification: Flower yellow-green to white, with a rear spur. Lower petal rectancular, heavily fringed, the fringe multiply divided and divided into roughly three zones, two lateral and one apical. Lateral petals small, ovate-elongate, and pointed upward. 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 8 to 32 inches in height.

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

Habitat: Ragged Fringed Orchis is found in bogs, swamps, and marshes.

Flowering period: July to August.

Similar Species: The lower petal is the most heavily fringed of all of the Platanthera species. The fringed lobe is divided into two lateral and one apical group. The flowers are yellowish-green to whitish green. Other fringed orchids are either pure white, purple, or bright yellow.