Platanthera flava (L.) Lindl.

Southern Rein Orchid; Pale Green Orchid; Southern Gypsy Spike

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Southern Rein Orchid is a native perennial in the Orchid family. It grows in swamps, seeps, and floodplain forests. It is often found in the wettest sites where little other vegetation grows. Southern Rein Orchid can be found throughout Alabama. It is a perennial from a cluster of thick fleshy roots. Colonies of plants often form from tubers that develop along the roots. Stems are from 8-20 inches in height. There are usually 2 basal leaves and 1-3 reduced leaves on the flowering stalk. Leaves are lanceolate to elliptic and glabrous. Flowers are produced in dense to lax spikes. Flowers are resupinate and green to yellowish in color. Flowers have three sepals and three petals. The lip petal is descending. The fruit is a capsule with many dust-like seed. Tubercled Rein Orchid (Platanthera flava (Linnaeus) Lindley var. herbiola (R. Brown) Luer) occurs in north Alabama. It differs from the typical variety by having a more congested spike with bracts that are as long as or longer than the flowers. Southern Rein Orchid is listed as an S2S3 species in Alabama (S2 - Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state. S3 - Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state) and globally as a G4 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). As with all native orchids, you should never pick or try to transplant them.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW (NWPL) S2S3 (State Rank) G4T4 (Global Rank)

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