Small Purple Fringed Orchis

(Platanthera psycodes)

Small Purple Fringed Orchis (Platanthera psycodes [L.] Lindl.)

Identification: Flower purple with a long, curved rear spur. Lower petal 0.8 to 1.2 centimeters broad, divided into 3 distinct lobes, each lobe fringed. Upper and lateral petals small, pointed upward. Flowers in tight, apical racemes less than 2 inches thick. Stem with a few, small, elongate leaves. Base of plant with large, ovate-elongate leaves. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Minnesota in the west to Nova Scotia in the east, southward to Missouri and Georiga.

Habitat: Small Purple Fringed Orchis is found in open woods and along woodland margins.

Flowering period: July to August.

Similar Species: The flowers of Purple Fringed Orchis are very similar to those of Small Purple Fringed Orchis, but larger. The raceme of Purple Fringed Orchis is over 2 inches in width; that of Small Purple Fringed Orchis less than 2 inches. The lower petal of Purple Fringed Orchis is 4 to 5 centimeters broad; that of Small Purple Fringed Orchid only 1 to 3 centimeters.