Kingdom Plantae Family Orchidaceae Genus Piperia Rank Species | Order Asparagales Subfamily Orchidoideae Scientific name Piperia transversa | |
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Similar Piperia elongata, Piperia elegans, Piperia unalascensis, Platanthera stricta, Platanthera huronensis | ||
Piperia transversa (syn: Platanthera transversa), is a species of orchid known by the common names royal rein orchid and flat spurred piperia.
It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California, where it can be found in forest, woodland, chaparral, and scrub habitat, often in dry areas.
Description
This orchid grows erect to about 55 centimeters in maximum height from a bulbous caudex. The basal leaves are up to 19 centimeters long by 4 wide. Leaves higher on the stem are much reduced.
The upper part of the stem is a spikelike inflorescence of many flowers which are white or yellowish with green veining. They are fragrant in the evenings and are said to have a scent like cloves.
They are pollinated by geometrid moths.
References
Piperia transversa Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA