This wetland orchid is widely distributed throughout eastern and central Canada and the United States. The fringed appearance of the floral cluster gives it a unique appearance. It grows best in full or partial sun, moist conditions, and an acidic soil containing sand, silt-loam, peaty material, or some gravel. Native habitats include moist prairies and sand prairies, sandy swamps, moist open woodlands, shrubby bogs, low areas along streams, sandy fields, and ditches.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Linear; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
2-5 alternate leaves along each stem, developing from sheaths. They are 2-8" long and ½–2" across, becoming smaller as they ascend the central stem with the upper leaves being bract-like.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Lipped
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Creamy to yellowish-green flowers in a spike-like cluster; lacerated lower lip creates a fringed appearance. Pollinated by moths.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
narrowly ellipsoid seed capsules about ¾" long containing numerous tiny seeds,
Stem detail
The stout central stem is light green, terete and glabrous.