Platanthera flava aka Pale Green Orchid

Platanthera flava is the pale green orchid. It is a wildflower in the orchid family. This perennial lives for more than one year. It grows in eastern and central North America. Its native range spans eastern Canada. It also spans the east-central and southeastern United States. It grows in wet woods, swamps, and wet meadows. It also lives in thickets by streams. Loss of habitat has put it at risk. Some states list it as threatened or endangered.

Plants grow upright to 0.5–2 feet [0.15–0.61 metres] tall. They spread 0.5–1 foot [0.15–0.30 metres] wide. Tubers help them form small colonies where conditions suit them. Each stout, pale green stem feels smooth and has no hairs. It bears two to five simple leaves, each with one blade. These grow in an alternate pattern along the stem. The narrow leaves have pointed tips and smooth edges. Their bases clasp the stem and have no leaf stalks. The top is dull green; the underside has more shine. Leaves get smaller toward the top of the stem. The largest reach 0.67 feet [0.20 metres] long.

Small, pale flowers line an upright raceme or spike. These flower spikes reach about 0.17–0.83 feet [0.05–0.25 metres] long. Each bloom has three petals and three sepals. They range from whitish green to yellow-green. The upper sepal bends like a hood over the flower. The lower lip curves down and has small side lobes. A tubercle, or small bump, sits near its base. A spur holds nectar behind the flower. In the south, blooms can last from spring through fall. Moths and mosquitoes pollinate the flowers. Ribbed, oval seed pods, called capsules, then form. They hold many tiny seeds, which the wind carries away.

This orchid needs moist to wet ground. It can also cope with standing water. It grows in part shade; the source also allows full sun. It can grow in sand, sandy peat, and loam. Its listed range covers USDA hardiness zones 4–9. It can be hard to grow and does not transplant well. Sellers seldom offer plants for sale. These limits matter when planning planted wetlands or water gardens.

It suits pond edges, bog gardens, and plantings by streams. It also fits native gardens and wet gardens for pollinators. Moths, including Anageshna primordialis, feed on nectar from its flowers. Small greenish blooms give a quiet show over a long season. NC State lists no serious problems with pests or disease. The supplied sources give no guidance on eating this orchid. They do not assess its toxicity to people or pets.