Platanthera dilatata

White Bog Orchid

White Bog Orchid
aka Bog Candle. Of the several varieties of P. dilatata this one is most likely var. leucostachys. This genus of orchid is also known as Habenaria. The flowers form a dense spike atop leafy stems which grow 8″ – 32″ (20 – 80 cm) depending on elevation. Like all orchids the flower is intricate with a hood formed by the upper sepal and two petals, lateral sepals spreading widely to the side and a spur beneath the lip. Common in wet meadows above 2,500′ elevation.

Family:

Orchidaceae - ORCHID FAMILY

Genus:

Platanthera from Greek for 'flat' and 'flower', or 'flat-anthered'

Species:

dilatata means 'spread out'
Photo location: Mountain Meadows.