Platanthera dilatata White Bog-Orchid, Scentbottle, Sierra bog orchid PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

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

Plant 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

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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Plant 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 Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Yukon (south), Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta (west), Manitoba (east), British Columbia), United States (Alaska, Indiana (north), Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Illinois (north), Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, California, Nevada, Utah)

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Platanthera bifolia	Butterfly Orchid	Perennial	0.5	5-9		LMH	SN	M	2	1

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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Expert comment

Author

(Pursh.)Lindl.

Botanical References

235270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Platanthera dilatata - (Pursh.)Lindl.