Plant Data Sheet

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Species (common name, Latin name)

White Bog Orchid, Platanthera dilatata

Range

Found from Alaska south to Oregon, northern United States and western mountainous states. Endangered in Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Climate, elevation

Found in middle to high elevations in temperate climates.

Local occurrence (where, how common)

Alaska to Oregon, relatively common

Habitat preferences

Found in wet to boggy ground, swamps, marshes, wet meadows, moist seepage slopes, along stream edges in sub-alpine meadows and swampy coniferous forests.

Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)

Reportedly has a symbiotic relationship with a soil-inhabiting fungus.

Associated species

Unknown

May be collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)

P. dilitata may be propagated by dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
in autumn or from gathered seeds.

Collection restrictions or guidelines

Endangered or threatened in some states. Collecting seeds is encouraged instead of digging up these threatened plants. If collecting seeds or plants in national parks or forest, please refer to their guidelines for gathering and removing plant materials.

Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?)

It is recommended that seeds are surface sown in the fall in a greenhouse.

Seed life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long shelf-life)

Not known.

Recommended seed storage conditions

Not recommended.

Propagation recommendations (plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)

P. dilitata may be propagated by dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
in autumn or from gathered seeds.

Soil or medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)

This plant grows best in saturated peat or heavy, wet fertile soil. Prefers acidic to mildly acidic soil. Reportedly has a symbiotic relationship with a soil-inhabiting fungus. Grow with soil from nearby established plants or direct sow around established plants to better make use of this fungus.

Installation form (potential for successful outcomes, cost)

Reported as difficult to grow.

Recommended planting density

Unknown

Care requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)

Keep constantly wet.

Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan

Unknown

Data compiled by (student name and date)

Photo Sources

¹ http://www.nawwal.org/~mrgoff/photojournal/2002/sum/08-03bogorchid.html

² http://www.cwnp.org/oka/pg/pwind/pldilatata.html

Sources Cited

Edible, medicinal and useful plants for a healthier world. 26 April 26, 2006. Plants for a future. <http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Platanthera+dilatata>.

Dave’s Garden, Plant Files. 26 April 2006. <http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/64846/index.html>.

Foster, H. Lincoln. Rock Gardening. A guide to Growing Alpines and Other Wildflowers in the American Garden. New York: Bonanza Books, 1968.

Glicenstein, Leon. Some Native Orchids of Northeastern USA. 26 April 2006. <http://www.hoosierorchid.com/article_snoneusa.pdf >.

Hitchcock, C. Leo and Arthur Cronquist. Flora of the Pacific Northwest: An illustrated Manual. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1973.

Plants Profile. 26 April 2006. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. <http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PLDI3>.