Eastern prairie fringed orchid

Scientific Latin name: Platanthera leucophaea

Status: Threatened in the U. S. and Endangered in Iowa

Description: The eastern prairie fringed orchid is a long-lived perennial plant. It arises from a fleshy tuber and can grow up to three feet tall. The flower stalk is large and showy and may have up to 40 white flowers. The leaves are long and thin. It is distinguished from the western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) by its smaller flowers [less than one inch long], more oval petals, and a shorter nectar spur.

Habitat: The eastern prairie fringed orchid is found in moist to wet tallgrass prairie. In the eastern part of its range, it is found in wet sedge meadows.

Current Iowa range: Johnson, Decatur, and Jackson counties.

Do something WILD!: Learn more about identifying Iowa’s wildflowers that live in your area of the state.

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