Platanthera cristata (Michx.) Lindl.

Crested Yellow Orchid; Orange Crest Orchid; Crested Fringed Orchid

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Crested Yellow Orchid is a native herbaceous perennial in the Orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is native to much of Alabama. Crested Yellow Orchid occurs in bogs, in seeps, along small streams, and on wet roadsides. It is a perennial from a cluster of thick, brittle roots. The stems are solitary, erect, 6-24 inches in height, green in color, and glabrous. The 2-4 leaves are alternate, sessile, linear lanceolate in outline, entire, and conduplicate (folded lengthwise). The leaves are rapidly reduced in size upwards, becoming bracts. Flowers are produced in dense terminal spikes. The flowers are resupinate (upside down), and orange-yellow in color. Each flower has a highly fringed lip and a cylindrical spur that curved downward behind the flower. The opening in the spur is triangular. The fruit is a capsule with many dust-like seed.--A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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