Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Orchidaceae

Genus:

Platanthera

Species:

Platanthera praeclara

USDA Symbol:

PLPR4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Epiphyte

Height:

100 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jun,jul

Bloom Colors:

white, cream

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

sphinx moths

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Historically found in fire-maintained tallgrass prairies and sedge meadows; periodic fire helps reduce competition from woody encroachment.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

prefers open, sunny prairies and meadows

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days

Notes:

Requires mycorrhizal fungi for germination and establishment; extremely difficult to propagate from seed without specialized laboratory conditions.