Round-leaved Orchis

(Platanthera orbiculata)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: NRCS Plants Database, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Round-leaved Orchis (Platanthera orbiculata [Pursh] Lindl.)

Identification: Flowers green-white with long rear spur. Lower petal elongate, unfringed, and pointed at the apex. Lateral petals unfringed. Upper petal concave, helmetlike, green. Two large petals on either side the apical petal and above the lateral petals. Flowers arranged in a terminal raceme. Middle of stem with small leaf bracts. Base of stem with 2 large, round leaves. Plant 12 to 30 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout Canada and southward to the northern United States. Extending further south in the mountains to North Carolina and Tennessee.

Habitat: Round-leaved Orchis is found in rich woods.

Flowering period: July to August.

Similar Species: The combination of the green and white flowers, long flower spur, elongate, lower petal, and the two round, large leaves at the base of the plant should easily separate this species from other species of orchids.

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