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Platanthera psycodes (L.) Lindl.

Small purple fringed orchid

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassLiliidaeIncludes lilies, orchids, and many others
OrderAsparagalesA diverse group that includes asparagus
FamilyOrchidaceaeOrchid family
GenusPlatantheraFrom Greek for “wide” and “flower,” hence “wide or flat-anthered”
Speciespsycodes“Like a butterfly”

About plant names...

These enchanting orchids are North American natives. They favor wet habitats, sphagnum bogs, cedar or alder swamps, and boundaries of wet areas.

Plants: 8-39″ (20-100 cm) tall, with a single, hairless stem.

Leaves: Oval (elliptic) at the base, or sometimes oval but wider at the end opposite the stem (obovate). Further up the stem, the leaves become much smaller and narrower. The leaves are alternate, have pointed tips, and parallel veins.

Flowers: A cone-shaped inflorescence up to 10″ (25 cm) long tops the stem, containing 20-50 lovely flowers. Flowers are lilac-colored, sometimes more reddish, rarely white; about ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) around, with dainty fringes (fine teeth). Lesser purple fringed orchid has a bigger brother, greater purple fringed orchid, Platanthera grandiflora. It has larger flowers, with lip petals at least ½″ (1.4 cm) wide. Flowers appear from July to August.

Fruits: Narrow, three-ribbed capsules on short stalks.

Online References:

Www.botany.wisc.edu

Minnesota Wildflowers

The University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium

The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

EFloras

References:

Clemants, Steven; Gracie, Carol, Wildflowers in the Field and Forest, Oxford University Press, 2006, p. 36

Platanthera psycodes (small purple fringed orchid)

7/19/2012 · Cow Lane, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm)

Platanthera psycodes (small purple fringed orchid)

7/19/2012 · Cow Lane, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm)

Blephariglotis psycodes (L.) Rydb.

Habenaria fissa (Muhl. ex Willd.) R. Br., nom. inval.

Habenaria fissa (Muhl. ex Willd.) R. Br. ex Spreng.

Habenaria psycodes (L.) Spreng.

Orchis fissa Muhl. ex Willd.

Orchis incisa Muhl. ex Willd.

Platanthera fissa (Muhl. ex Willd.) Lindl.

Platanthera incisa (Muhl. ex Willd.) Lindl.

 

Platanthera psycodes description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Nov 2020.

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Platanthera psycodes (small purple fringed orchid)

7/19/2012 · Cow Lane, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)

Platanthera psycodes (small purple fringed orchid)

7/19/2012 · Cow Lane, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)

Platanthera psycodes (small purple fringed orchid)

7/19/2012 · Cow Lane, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Platanthera psycodes (small purple fringed orchid)

7/19/2012 · Cow Lane, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)

Range:

About this map...