Platanthera ephemerantha R. M. Bateman
white-lip rein orchid
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Jamie Fenneman     (Photo ID #10749)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Platanthera ephemerantha
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Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from tubers, 1-2.5 cm long, with a few fibrous roots; stems 20-55 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal 2 or 3 (4), linear to mostly oblanceolate, 10-18 cm long, 2-3.5 cm wide, dull to glossy green below, glossier above, withering before or during flowering; stem leaves bractlike, mostly 3 or 4 (2-10).
Flowers:
Inflorescence terminal, spikelike, 7-30 cm long, usually densely-flowered, the flowers small, white, sometimes with green, faintly and unpleasantly scented; sepals 2-3.5 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, 1-veined, the upper sepal more or less pointed forward, white with a green midvein or green with white margins, the lower ones white with a faint green midvein, usually greenish early in flowering; petals 2-4 mm long, white with a green midvein, more or less pointed forward, the tips overlapping or nearly touching; lip 2-3 mm long, white, sometimes green at tip, narrowly triangular, bent back toward spur; spur 2-3.5 mm long, pointed downward; column shorter than lip.
Fruits:
Capsules, ascending to erect, 5-9 mm long; seeds cinnamon brown.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

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.

Habitat and Range

Dry forests and forest margins in the lowland to montane zones; rare in coastal BC; N to AK and S to CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Piperia candida Rand. Morgan & Ackerman