Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.156984
Element CodePMORC1Y050
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
CITESAppendix II
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderOrchidales
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusPlatanthera
SynonymsGymnadeniopsis clavellata(Michx.) Rydb.Habenaria clavellata(Michx.) Spreng.
Other Common NamesClub-spur Orchid (EN) Platanthère claviforme (FR) Small Green Woodland Orchid (EN) small green wood 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 Date2025-07-03
Change Date1995-10-30
Edition Date2025-07-03
Edition AuthorsK. Crowley, MRO, rev. N. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPlatanthera clavellata is an orchid occurring in sphagnum bogs, sphagnous seeps, meadows, marshes, woods, prairies, and disturbed sites of eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to Ontario, Canada, and Minnesota and Maine south to Florida and Texas in the United States. There are over 2,000 estimated occurrences of this taxon rangewide, which are threatened by erosion, livestock grazing, invasive plants, development, recreation, and likely other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and tolerance of light disturbance, Platanthera clavellata is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPlatanthera clavellata occurs in eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to Ontario, Canada, and Minnesota and Maine south to Florida and Texas in the United States (FNA 2002). Range extent was estimated to be over 5 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 2,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsThe greatest threat to Platanthera clavellata is the destruction of wetland habitat through drainage, channelization, logging, and gravel-mining (F. Case, C. Sheviak, and B. Summers, pers. comm., 1995). Additional threats to this species include deer browse, cattle grazing, herbicide runoff from nearby fields or powerline corridors, and invasion of habitats by exotic shrubs (e.g. Japanese honeysuckle, Smilax sp., and Rhamnus frangula), trampling due to recreational activities, and likely other threats in some places (NatureServe 2025).