[Rein Orchids: The Genus Piperia in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Alaska Rein Orchid, Short-spurred Orchid, Short-spurred Piperia, Slender-spire Orchid

Platanthera unalascensis

Synonyms: Habenaria schischmareffiana, Habenaria unalascensis, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera foetida, Spiranthes unalascensis

Alaska Rein Orchid, Short-spurred Orchid, Short-spurred Piperia, Slender-spire Orchid: Platanthera unalascensis (Synonyms: Habenaria schischmareffiana, Habenaria unalascensis, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera foetida, Spiranthes unalascensis) -Alaska Rein Orchid, Short-spurred Orchid, Short-spurred Piperia, Slender-spire Orchid: Platanthera unalascensis (Synonyms: Habenaria schischmareffiana, Habenaria unalascensis, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera foetida, Spiranthes unalascensis)

The photo at left shows short-spurred bog orchid from the Sleepy Hollow Road, Major Creek Plateau, Columbia River Gorge.......July 1991. The photo at right shows short-spurred bog orchid from the Grassy Knoll Trailhead, Gifford Pinchot N.F........July 7, 1991.
Characteristics:

Short-spurred bog orchid is a small flowered orchid of very moist places. The plant is yellowish-green to green in color and may grow to 70 cm tall. The two to four leaves are largely basal, lance-shaped but broadest near the tip. They are parallel-veined, may reach 20 cm in length, and often wither quickly.

The flowers are green or greenish-white. They are not fragrant. The spur is cylindrical and of equal length to the lower lip. The flowers are closely packed and form a lengthy raceme. The lower lip is linear to triangular-ovate in shape.

Habitat:

Short-spurred bog orchid is found in dry to moist coniferous forests, and in moist meadows and damp streamside areas.

Range:

Short-spurred bog orchid is found from Alaska south to Baja California, and eastward to Quebec, Ontario, the western regions of South Dakota, Colorado, and Nevada.

Paul Slichter