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Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora, Hoosier Pass, Summit Co. 4080/4102

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Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora, Slide Lake, Eagle Co. 4853

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Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora, Slide Lake, Eagle Co. 4854

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Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora, North Swan Valley, Summit Co. 6547

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Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora, Shrine Ridge Trail, Eagle Co. 7172

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Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora, North Swan Valley, Summit Co. 6549

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Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora, FR679, Ophir Pass Rd., San Juan Co. 8423

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Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora, FR679, Ophir Pass Rd., San Juan Co. 8412

Scientific Name Platanthera dilatata var. albiflora USDA PLANTS Symbol PLDIA
Common Name White Bog Orchid, Scentbottle ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 196400
Family Orchidaceae (Orchid) Flora of North America Ref. Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Montane to alpine (7500 to 12500); marshes, streamsides, and moist areas in meadows and woodlands.
Plant: Erect, sturdy perennial, 6 to 60 inches tall, but usually 20 inches tall or less in CO; leafy stem.
Leaves: Two to 5 alternate leaves 2 to 10 inches long; recurved (bending backward), lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, gradually becoming linear-lanceolate bracts higher up on the stem.
Inflorescence: A raceme of 10 to 70 bright white, fragrant flowers about 1/2-inch across with 3 sepals and 3 petals (all white), upper two petals joining with a sepal to form a hood; lower petal forms a lip that is broader at the base (“dilated”) than the tip; green, club-shaped spur below is significantly shorter than the lip.
Bloom Period: May to August.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, University of Wisconsin Botany Dept., and USFS article by Walter Fertig.
BONAP Distribution Map
N/A
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains