Platanthera sparsiflora

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Sparse-flowered bog orchid
Platanthera sparsiflora - Flickr 004.jpg
Status TNC G4.svg
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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
    • Habenaria sparsiflora S.Watson
    • Limnorchis sparsiflora (S.Watson) Rydb.

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]

Contents

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]

Table of Synonyms
NameYearRankNotes
Habenaria aggregataHowell1902species= het.
Habenaria leucostachys var. viridisJeps.1921variety= het.
Habenaria sparsifloraS.Watson1877species≡ hom.
Habenaria sparsiflora var. laxiflora(Rydb.) Correll1943variety= het.
Habenaria thurberi var. grayiS.Watson1868variety= het.
Limnorchis ensifoliaRydb.1901species= het.
Limnorchis laxifloraRydb.1901species= het.
Limnorchis sparsiflora(S.Watson) Rydb.1901species≡ hom.
Platanthera sparsiflora var. ensifolia(Rydb.) Luer1975variety= het.
Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym  ; = heterotypic synonym

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe (1 November 2025). "Platanthera sparsiflora". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Platanthera sparsiflora (S.Watson) Schltr". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  3. ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. 1 2 Flora of North America v 26 p 561, Platanthera sparsiflora
  5. ↑ Biota of North America Program, county distribution map
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