Platanthera michaelii is an uncommon species of orchid known by the common names Michael's rein orchid and Michael's piperia. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the coastal plains, hills, and mountains, and the Sierra Nevada foothills. It can be found in varied habitat, including scrub, woodland, and forest. This orchid grows erect to about 70 centimeters in maximum height from a bulbous caudex. The basal leaves are up to 24 centimeters long by 5 wide. Leaves higher on the stem are much reduced. The upper part of the stem is a spikelike inflorescence of many yellow-green flowers which are fragrant in the evenings.

Platanthera michaelii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Genus: Platanthera
Species:
P. michaelii
Binomial name
Platanthera michaelii
Synonyms[1]
  • Habenaria michaelii Greene
  • Piperia michaelii (Greene) Rydb.
  • Piperia elongata subsp. michaelii (Greene) Ackerman

References

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  1. ^ "Platanthera michaelii". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
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