(L.) Lindl.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.142099
Element CodePMORC1Y080
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
CITESAppendix II
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderOrchidales
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusPlatanthera
SynonymsHabenaria flava(L.) R. Br.Orchis flavaL.
Other Common NamesPale-green Orchid (EN) palegreen orchid (EN) Platanthère à gorge tuberculée (FR) Tubercled Orchid (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-10-14
Change Date2009-02-04
Edition Date2024-10-14
Edition AuthorsK. Crowley, rev. N. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPlatanthera flava is a perennial orchid occurring in alluvial floodplains and forests, hardwoods, white-cedar, cypress swamps, wet meadows, seeps, thickets, and salt marshes of eastern North America, from Nova Scotia and southern Quebec, Canada, west to Minnesota, south to Texas, and east to Florida in the United States. There are over 700 occurrences of this species, which are threatened in many areas by habitat loss, especially in floodplain forests and wet prairies. Additional threats include over-collection, excessive grazing, and succession by woody species. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and high number of occurrences, Platanthera flava is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPlatanthera flava occurs in eastern North America from Nova Scotia and southern Quebec, Canada west to Minnesota, south to Texas, and east to Florida in the United States (FNA 2002). Range extent was estimated to be over 3 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024). See individual entries for distribution details about the two varieties.
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are more than 700 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Platanthera flava is threatened by the destruction of wetland habitat through development, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, logging, drainage, and other hydrological alterations (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002, NatureServe 2024). Additional likely threats to this species include over-collection, excessive grazing, and succession by woody species.