How to identify Pale green orchid (Platanthera flava)

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How to identify Pale green orchid (Platanthera flava)

Pale green orchid, also known as Tubercled bog orchid, Southern tubercled orchis

Pale green orchid exhibits a distinctive pale green hue, which is prominent in its slender, lance-shaped leaves and its tubular flowers. Its inflorescence, typically a spike, presents a series of well-spaced blooms that lend a delicate texture to wetland environments. The flowers, marked by a prominent lip and spur, are suggestive of the characteristic complexity found within the Orchidaceae family. Each flower may measure up to 0.75 inches (2 cm) in length, presenting a subtle aesthetic that distinguishes pale green orchid in its native habitats. The plant itself can grow up to 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm) tall, assuming an elegant, upright stance.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Pale green orchid

Slender lance-shaped leaves with a pale green hue.

Tubular flowers with a prominent lip and spur, measuring up to 0.75 inches (2 cm).

Erect, nearly ellipsoidal fruit capsule with fine ribbing, about 1/3 inch long.

Stout, upright stem with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 cm), lacking branching.

Sessile, sheathing leaves, 2-5 per stem, up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, dull green on the upper side.

Detailed Traits of Pale green orchid

Leaf Features

The leaves of pale green orchid are sessile and sheathing, ranging from 2 to 5 per stem. They are narrowly elliptic-lanceolate with an acute apex and measure up to 8 inches (20 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) wide, becoming smaller towards the top. These glabrous leaves are entire and dull green on the upper side, slightly shinier below, and are a key feature for identification.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Pale green orchid flowers are arranged in a 5-25 cm (2-10 inch) long spike, featuring 8 mm (1/3 inch) whitish green or yellowish-green blooms. Each flower has three petals and three sepals; the upper sepal curves forward, forming a hood, while the lowest petal shapes a lip that curves forward and downward, ending in a spur. The lip's base has tiny eared lobes and a small tubercle. Blooming from spring to fall, these flowers attract mosquitoes and moths for pollination.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of pale green orchid is stout, light green, and glabrous (smooth and hairless). It stands prominently upright, reaching varying heights depending on the environment. The stem diameter typically ranges from 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 cm), giving it a sturdy appearance. It lacks significant branching, maintaining a single, solid column structure, which is a distinguishing feature. The texture is consistently smooth, contributing to its sleek look, making it easily recognizable in its natural habitat.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of pale green orchid is a capsule that maintains a nearly erect posture and is ellipsoidal in shape. It measures approximately to 1/3 inch long and features a surface with fine ribbing. Contained within are innumerable minuscule seeds, each one ready to be swept away by the vagaries of the wind. The fruits' diminutive size and ridged texture are noteworthy characteristics. Proportionally, it's about 8.5 millimeters long. The seeds' adaptation for wind dispersal is significant, though it is the fruit's slender, ribbed capsule that is most visually distinctive.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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