Platanthera zothecina (synonym Habenaria zothecina, common name - alcove bog orchid) is a perennial plant in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region of the southwestern United States and is found in the states of Utah, Arizona and Colorado.Canyon Country Wildflowers, Damian Fagan, 2nd ed., 2012, Morris Bush Publishing, LLC. in cooperation with Canyonlands Natural History Association,
Habitat and range It can be found in moist sites in seeps and hanging gardens.
Description
Growth pattern It grows from tall. Its overall green color makes it inconspicuous among other greenery in its habitats.
Leaves and stems Leaves are long and narrowly linear to elliptic.
Inflorescence and fruit It blooms from May to August.
Green or yellowish-green flowers are on stalk of 5-20, with upper sepals closely contacting the petals to form a hood over the style. The lateral (side) sepals are curved. Petals are triangular and lance-like. The lip is yellowish and linear.
Taxonomy Platanthera zothecina was scientificaly described by Larry C. Higgins and Stanley Larson Welsh in 1986 and named Habenaria zothecina. It was moved to the genus Platanthera by John T. Kartesz and Kanchi Natarajan Gandhi in 1990. Together with its genus it is classified in the family Orchidaceae. It has two homotypic synonyms.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Habenaria zothecina 1986 Limnorchis zothecina 1989
References