Small Green Wood Orchid – 7/11/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 7/11/20

Observation Time: 3:10 p.m.

Observation Location: somewhere in Sharon. Please do not dig up wildflowers!

Common Name: Small Green Wood Orchid

Scientific Name: Platanthera clavellata

Comments: Platanthera is a large genus – about 200 species – in the large Orchidaceae (Orchid) Family. Over 30 of the Platanthera species are found in North America.

Platanthera clavellata is protected in at least four states due to its rarity in those jurisdictions. Please do not dig up wildflowers! They have a role to play in the ecosystem, and they typically do not survive transplantation.

More Information: Name That Plant

Platanthera clavellata usually has only one large leaf, located on the lower half of the stem, but may occasionally have two.

The flowers of Platanthera clavellata are pale green, greenish white, yellowish white, or dull white.