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Green Orchid

Platanthera huronensis

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42.2973, -72.5496

Reference Links:

Platanthera  huronensis: UW-Stevens Point Freckmann Herbarium: Plant Detai…

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
lori.tas
The labellum (lip) is triggered by touch, and flips up to hold the insect in longer, making sure it is fully pollinated before it gets out again. The more upright hoods use a 'window' on top to the same effect.
ScottRasmussen
Those greenhoods are wonderful. They're obviously some sort of "trap" orchid with an elaborate mechanism for pollen delivery. Most of the orchids around here seem to be pollinated by wasps as well.
lori.tas
Link worked this time. Yes, that's even more similar. I didn't know about the ants. Most of the other orchids here attract small tiphiidae wasps. If you search here for 'pterostylis', you can see our greenhoods. We actually have six (I forgot one). The seventh species, the Cobra greenhood was photographed in one of out national parks.
ScottRasmussen
I just did a little reading up on Microtis orchids. The ones in Tasmania are pollinated by ants. That's pretty interesting.
ScottRasmussen
Hmm, something did go wrong with my previous comment. Try again... Yes, it is similar. It's even more similar to another tiny orchid found around here: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6627049. I really like the inconspicuous orchids because they might be easy to overlook but really reward close examination.
lori.tas
Me too. Our biggest orchid is still very small by orchid standards. We have five of the "greenhood" varieties, and you really need to know where to look to find them. We're heading towards spring down here, and I should be getting some more orchid photos then. Sorry, couldn't get your link to work.
lori.tas
Looks like a much larger version of this one we have: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/2784002

Spotted for Missions

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Flowers of North America
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Wild Orchids
Mission
Orchids of the Americas
Photographed
PublishedAugust 7, 2011

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