Platanthera huronensis, June 30, 2023
June 30
Common & scientific name
Huron bog orchid, Platanthera huronensis
Family
Orchid, Orchidaceae
Location
Aspen grove below Highway 82, 8,700’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
Huron bog orchid, like other similar members of the Platanthera genus, is found streamside, in ditches, and all manner of wet places, often alongside White bog orchid. It can be difficult to tell this apart from our other green bog orchid, Platanthera aquilonis, also greenish, also hanging out in similar areas. I’m calling this one P. huronensis based on the shape of the lip (the lower petal sticking straight out), which tapers gradually from the wider base, and owing to its club-like spur, visible in the photo below-left. Or something like that: good luck and just enjoy the orchid! (Also, the smell is not as strong as that of White bog orchid.)