Cephalanthera austiniae (A. Gray) A. Heller
phantom orchid
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
phantom orchid
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Photograph
© Dane Springmeyer (Photo ID #4725)
Species Information
General:
Perennial, saprophytic herb from branched, creeping rhizomes; stems 20-55 cm tall; plant white, turning yellowish or brownish, smooth.
Leaves:
Bractlike, 2 to 5, mostly sheathing stem, 3-6 cm long.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a terminal raceme of 5 to 20 white flowers; sepals and lateral petals alike, elliptical to oblanceolate, 12-20 mm long, tips pointed; lateral petals usually longer than lip; lip saclike, with a yellow, pimpled gland within at the base, folded lengthwise, constricted at midlength, with a terminal lobelike portion above, the lobe bent back above middle; column 6-9 mm long.
Fruits:
Capsules, erect.
Illustration
If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.
Illustration Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia
Habitat and Range
Moist to mesic forests in the lowland zone; rare in the lower Fraser Valley, SE Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands; S to ID and CA.Status Information
| Origin Status | Provincial Status | BC List (Red Blue List) | COSEWIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native | S2 | Red | E (Nov 2014) |
BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer.
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Eburophyton austiniae (A. Gray) A. Heller