Platanthera nivea (Nutt.) Luer

Snowy Orchid; White Rein Orchid; White Frog Arrow

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Snowy Orchid is a native perennial in the Orchid family (Orchidaceae). It can be found in the southern third of Alabama. Snowy Orchid occurs in pitcher plant bogs, wet pine savannas, and in seeps. It is a perennial from a crown of fleshy roots. Stems are from 6 inches to 2 feet in height. The stems are unbranched, green, and glabrous. There are 1-3 linear or lanceolate, entire, glabrous leaves at the base of the plant. The leaves are usually folded length-wise. Above these leaves are alternate, reduced, bract-like leaves. Flowers are produced in a dense spike. The flowers are pure white and have a scent similar to orange blossoms. Unusual for a member of this genus, the flowers are non-resupinate (not turned upside down). The flowers have a long tubular spur at the back of the flower. The fruit is a capsule with many small dust-like seed. Snowy Orchid is listed as an S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state), and globally as a G5 species (demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery). As with all native orchids, Snowy Orchid should not be picked or dug. The plants have a symbiotic relation with fungi in the soil and require exacting moisture and pH condition. They will not usually survive. Snowy Orchid may be very common in a particular are one year and then be rare or totally absent from the same are for a number of years.--A. Diamond

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Native S2 (State Rank) G5 (Global Rank)

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