Platanthera sparsiflora
| Sparse-flowered bog orchid | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Platanthera |
| Species: | P. sparsiflora
|
| Binomial name | |
| Platanthera sparsiflora | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
List
| |
Platanthera sparsiflora is a species of orchid known by the common name sparse-flowered bog orchid. It is native to the forests and meadows of the western United States (Colorado and New Mexico west to California, plus Washington and Oregon), and also south to Baja California.[3][4][5]
Platanthera sparsiflora can be found in wet habitats. It produces a slender, erect flowering stem up to about 1⁄2 meter (1 ft 8 in) tall. The longest leaves near the base of the stem are up to 15 centimeters (6 in) long by 3 centimeters (1+1⁄4 in) wide. The inflorescence has widely spaced twisted green flowers with petals up to 1 centimeter (1⁄3 in) in length.[4]
Taxonomy
Platanthera sparsiflora was scientifically described in 1877 by the botanist Sereno Watson and named Habenaria sparsiflora. It was moved to the genus Platanthera by Rudolf Schlechter in 1899, giving the species its accepted name. Together with its genus it is classified in the family Orchidaceae. It has no accepted varieties, but has some in its nine synonyms.[2]
| Name | Year | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habenaria aggregata Howell | 1902 | species | = het. |
| Habenaria leucostachys var. viridis Jeps. | 1921 | variety | = het. |
| Habenaria sparsiflora S.Watson | 1877 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Habenaria sparsiflora var. laxiflora (Rydb.) Correll | 1943 | variety | = het. |
| Habenaria thurberi var. grayi S.Watson | 1868 | variety | = het. |
| Limnorchis ensifolia Rydb. | 1901 | species | = het. |
| Limnorchis laxiflora Rydb. | 1901 | species | = het. |
| Limnorchis sparsiflora (S.Watson) Rydb. | 1901 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Platanthera sparsiflora var. ensifolia (Rydb.) Luer | 1975 | variety | = het. |
| Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym ; = heterotypic synonym | |||
References
- ^ NatureServe (1 November 2025). "Platanthera sparsiflora". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Platanthera sparsiflora (S.Watson) Schltr". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ a b Flora of North America v 26 p 561, Platanthera sparsiflora
- ^ Biota of North America Program, county distribution map
External links