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.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesFlora of North America v 26 p 561, Platanthera sparsiflora Biota of North America Program, county distribution map
Platanthera sparsiflora can be found in wet habitats. It produces a slender, erect flowering stem up to about tall. The longest leaves near the base of the stem are up to long by wide. The inflorescence has widely spaced twisted green flowers with petals up to in length.
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.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Notes Habenaria aggregata 1902 species = het. Habenaria leucostachys var. viridis 1921 variety = het. Habenaria sparsiflora 1877 species ≡ hom. Habenaria sparsiflora var. laxiflora 1943 variety = het. Habenaria thurberi var. grayi 1868 variety = het. Limnorchis ensifolia 1901 species = het. Limnorchis laxiflora 1901 species = het. Limnorchis sparsiflora 1901 species ≡ hom. Platanthera sparsiflora var. ensifolia 1975 variety = het. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment Photo gallery