''Platanthera brevifolia'', the shortflowered bog orchid or short-leaf bog orchid, is a terrestrial

orchid Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering ...

of North America.

Description

''Platanthera brevifolia'' plants are 16–60 cm tall. Their leaves are close to and sheathing the stem. Flowering time is from July to September, with up to 40 green to yellowish-green flowers. The flowers have a lip which can be 10 mm long and a long nectar spur of 9–20 mm.

Distribution and habitat

''Platanthera brevifolia'' is found in

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...

in the United States and in Mexico, at an elevation of 2100–2750 m. The habitat is dry to moist gravel, loam and limestone. They prefer open, usually coniferous forest.

Taxonomy

''Platanthera brevifolia'' was first described by

Edward Lee Greene Edward Lee Greene (August 20, 1843–November 10, 1915) was an American botanist known for his numerous publications including the two-part ''Landmarks of Botanical History'' and the describing of over 4,400 species of plants in the American W ...

in 1881 (as ''Habenaria brevifolia'').

References

brevifolia Orchids of the United States {{Orchidoideae-stub