Orchidaceae

Platanthera dilatata var. dilatata

White Bog Orchid

Stems stout, erect. Basal and stem leaves lance-shaped, gradually smaller upward. Inflorescence consists of waxy white flowers loosely spaced to crowded with leaves on stem. Flowers spicy-fragrant, to 1 in. across, lower petal very slender at tip and abruptly expanded near base. Spur on back of flower can be longer or shorter than lower petal and straight to slightly curved. Grows in bogs, fens, spongy places, seepages in high mountains. Called bog candle because it is so noticeably sturdy and white.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Mid Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 12--45 inches
• Habitat: Coastal, Meadow, West-Side Forest, Subalpine, Bog/Fen/Wetland
• Found In: Olympic Np, Mt. Rainier Np, Wallowas, Siskiyous, West Gorge, Crater Lake Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes