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Platanthera dilatata - (Pursh.)Lindl.

Common Name White Bog-Orchid, Scentbottle, Sierra bog orchid
Family Orchidaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The leaves are said to be poisonous[257].
Habitats Wet soils of swamps, bogs, banks of springs and streams[212]. Wet meadows, tundra, marshes, fens, stream banks, shores, ditches, seeping slopes, roadsides from sea level to 3100 metres[270].
Range Western and eastern N. America - Alaska to California and New Mexico, Quebec to New York.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Platanthera dilatata White Bog-Orchid, Scentbottle, Sierra bog orchid


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Platanthera dilatata White Bog-Orchid, Scentbottle, Sierra bog orchid
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7147684@N03

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Platanthera dilatata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[212]. They taste like frozen potatoes[212].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Lithontripic

The root juice has been mixed with water and drunk in the treatment of gravel[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Even those species that grow in bogs tend to be in the drier areas of the bog with plenty of water 15cm or more below soil level. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[230]. A note in [230] says that the plant succeeds in a woodland garden (and implies it is hardy in the temperate zone) 207328.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[200]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move. Division in autumn. The plant is very intolerant of root disturbance, any moving or dividing should be attempted in the autumn, keep a large ball of soil around the plant[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Platanthera bifoliaButterfly OrchidPerennial0.5 5-9  LMHSNM21 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Pursh.)Lindl.

Botanical References

235270

Links / References

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