Platanthera chlorantha
Platanthera chlorantha (Orchidaceae) 185 23
Platanthera chlorantha takes its name from the overall green coloration of the flowers. The genus Platanthera comprises approximately one hundred species, the majority of which are found in Asia and the Americas.
Although only eight species of this genus occur in Europe, Platanthera chlorantha or the Greater Butterfly Orchid is one of Europe's most widespread orchids, occurring throughout the continent as well as in parts of north Africa and the near east. This species produces highly scented flowers, that are at their most productive at night, thus ensuring they are pollinated almost exclusively by night flying moths. Another factor which serves to encourage crepuscular visitation is the way in which the plants white flowers, somewhat eerily stand out in the dark. Nectar is stored in the very long spur and consequently can only be accessed by an insect with a long proboscis, again restricting the variety of insects that will be attracted to the plant.
This is a distinctive species, that can easily be confused with its close relative Platanthera bifolia, the Lesser Butterfly Orchid. They are indeed very similar and the most effective way of separating the two species is by inspection of the pollinia housing which in Platanthera bifolia is vertically parallel, in Platanthera chlorantha divergent at the base. The two species flower at similar times in May and June but have differing habitat preferences, the former being found in open situations on neutral and mildly acidic substrates whilst the latter is rarely found away from alkaline conditions. Other distinguishing characteristics of Platanthera chlorantha are the larger size of the flowers and the tendency for them to be greener than those of Platanthera bifolia.
Source: John and Gerry's Orchids of Britain and Europe
Platanthera chlorantha
Platanthera chlorantha (Orchidaceae) 185 23
Platanthera chlorantha takes its name from the overall green coloration of the flowers. The genus Platanthera comprises approximately one hundred species, the majority of which are found in Asia and the Americas.
Although only eight species of this genus occur in Europe, Platanthera chlorantha or the Greater Butterfly Orchid is one of Europe's most widespread orchids, occurring throughout the continent as well as in parts of north Africa and the near east. This species produces highly scented flowers, that are at their most productive at night, thus ensuring they are pollinated almost exclusively by night flying moths. Another factor which serves to encourage crepuscular visitation is the way in which the plants white flowers, somewhat eerily stand out in the dark. Nectar is stored in the very long spur and consequently can only be accessed by an insect with a long proboscis, again restricting the variety of insects that will be attracted to the plant.
This is a distinctive species, that can easily be confused with its close relative Platanthera bifolia, the Lesser Butterfly Orchid. They are indeed very similar and the most effective way of separating the two species is by inspection of the pollinia housing which in Platanthera bifolia is vertically parallel, in Platanthera chlorantha divergent at the base. The two species flower at similar times in May and June but have differing habitat preferences, the former being found in open situations on neutral and mildly acidic substrates whilst the latter is rarely found away from alkaline conditions. Other distinguishing characteristics of Platanthera chlorantha are the larger size of the flowers and the tendency for them to be greener than those of Platanthera bifolia.
Source: John and Gerry's Orchids of Britain and Europe