[Rein-orchids: The Genus Platanthera in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Elegant Piperia, Elegant Rein Orchid, Elegant Rein-orchid, Hillside Rein Orchid, Hillside Rein-orchid, Long-spurred Rein Orchid

Platanthera elegans ssp. elegans

Synonyms: Habenaria elegans, Habenaria greenei, Piperia elegans ssp. elegans, Piperia maritima, Piperia multiflora

A close-up sideview of the flower of elegant rein-orchid as seen at Catherine Creek in the Columbia River Gorge........June 26, 2009. The spur of this species is much longer than the pedicel while the flowers are often white (sometimes with the central portion of the petals green), while the spur of the similar Alaska rein-orchid is no longer than the pedicel and the flowers are usually green.

Two close-up views of the inflorescence of elegant rein-orchid as seen at Catherine Creek in the Columbia River Gorge.......June 26, 2009.

The photo above shows a close-up of the inflorescence of elegant rein-orchid as seen in open woods along the Old Headquarters Road in the Klickitat State Wildlife Area........June 28, 2009. The photos here show the upper sepal to be whitish, which is one way to identify Piperia elegans from Piperia unalascensis.

Elegant rein orchid blooming on open, grassy slopes at Catherine Creek, Columbia River Gorge........June 21, 2010.

Elegant rein orchid blooming near the South Klickitat Breaks Road, Klickitat Wildlife Area......June 30, 2014.

Paul Slichter