[Rein Orchids: The Genus Platanthera in the Columbia River Gorge of the Columbia River Gorge]

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

Platanthera unalascensis

Synonyms: Habenaria unalascencis, Habenaria schischmareffiana, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera cooperi, Spiranthes unalascensis

Close-up sideview of the flower of Alaska Rein Orchid, Alaskan Rein Orchid, Short-spurred Bog Orchid, Short-spurred Piperia, Slender-spire Orchid: Platanthera unalascensis (Synonyms: Habenaria unalascencis, Habenaria schischmareffiana, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera cooperi, Spiranthes unalascensis) - Close-up sideview of the flower of Alaska Rein Orchid, Alaskan Rein Orchid, Short-spurred Bog Orchid, Short-spurred Piperia, Slender-spire Orchid: Platanthera unalascensis (Synonyms: Habenaria unalascencis, Habenaria schischmareffiana, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera cooperi, Spiranthes unalascensis)

Close-up sideviews of the flowers of short-spurred rein orchid as seen at Catherine Creek, Columbia River Gorge............May 27, 2010.
Alaska Rein Orchid, Alaskan Rein Orchid, Short-spurred Bog Orchid, Short-spurred Piperia, Slender-spire Orchid: Platanthera unalascensis (Synonyms: Habenaria unalascencis, Habenaria schischmareffiana, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera cooperi, Spiranthes unalascensis) Photo at right of 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.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 100'-3300' from near Crown Point and Cape Horn in the west to the western portion of the Columbia hills north of Dallesport, WA.

Alaska Rein Orchid, Alaskan Rein Orchid, Short-spurred Bog Orchid, Short-spurred Piperia, Slender-spire Orchid: Platanthera unalascensis (Synonyms: Habenaria unalascencis, Habenaria schischmareffiana, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera cooperi, Spiranthes unalascensis) - Alaska Rein Orchid, Alaskan Rein Orchid, Short-spurred Bog Orchid, Short-spurred Piperia, Slender-spire Orchid: Platanthera unalascensis (Synonyms: Habenaria unalascencis, Habenaria schischmareffiana, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera cooperi, Spiranthes unalascensis)

Two additional whole plant views of Alaska rein orchid as seen at Catherine Creek in the Columbia River Gorge..........May 27, 2010.
Paul Slichter