Platanthera elongata
tall rein orchid
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Mark Gardiner     (Photo ID #56210)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Platanthera elongata
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from tubers, 1-4 cm long, with a few fibrous roots; stems 20-100 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal 2 to 5, oblanceolate, 6-30 cm long, 1-6.5 cm wide, blunt-tipped; stem leaves bractlike.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a terminal, spikelike raceme, 15-30 cm long, open to densely-flowered, the flowers small, green, not scented; sepals 2-5.5 mm long, lanceolate, the upper sepal more or less erect, the lateral somewhat bent back; petals 2-5.5 mm long, sickle-shaped, usually erect; lip 2-5.5 mm long, triangular, bent back; spur 6.5-15 mm long, slender, commonly pointed downward; column oblong, about twice as long as wide.
Fruits:
Capsules, ascending to erect.

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, forest margins and shrublands in the lowland to montane zones; infrequent in S BC; S to ID, MT, OR and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Piperia elongata Rydb.