White Fringed Orchid Platanthera Leucophaea ILLINOIS RANGE

white fringed orchid Platanthera leucophaea Kingdom: Plantae FEATURES Division: Magnoliophyta White fringed orchid is also known as prairie white Class: Liliopsida fringed orchid. This perennial herb has leaves Order: Orchidales arranged alternately along the stem. These simple, entire leaves are lance-shaped. Three-petaled, white Family: Orchidaceae ﬂowers are produced on an elongated stalk. The ILLINOIS STATUS fringed, lower lip of the flower has three parts. The fruit is a capsule that contains the seeds. White endangered, native fringed orchid may attain a height of one to three feet. Once a characteristic plant of moist to wet prairies throughout much of Illinois, white fringed orchid BEHAVIORS has been exterminated from most of its range in the White fringed orchid may be found in the northern state by drainage, agriculture and urban two-thirds of Illinois. It grows in wet prairies, sand development. Degradation of prairie habitat prairies, swampy areas, bogs and thickets. Flowers threatens most remaining populations as does are produced from June through July. Flowering removal by plant collectors. This plant is often occurs after periods of high rainfall and endangered in Illinois and is on the federal list of prescribed burning. This plant is pollinated by threatened species. insects (hawkmoths). Seeds are dispersed by the wind. White fringed orchid grows in full sun or sparse shade.

ILLINOIS RANGE

leaves and flowers

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© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Aquatic Habitats peatlands; wet prairies and fens

Woodland Habitats none

Prairie and Edge Habitats black soil prairie; edge; sand prairie