Platanthera cooperi
Chaparral rein-orchid
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Platanthera cooperi (Chaparral rein-orchid) is a native California perennial in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by southern CA range plus flat lip and honey fragrance.
Chaparral rein-orchid is a California native found in the South Coast, Santa Catalina Island, San Gabriel Mountains, and Peninsular Ranges bioregions, growing in generally dry scrub, chaparral, woodland, and forest sites below 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to June, this orchid grows 14 to 90 centimeters tall with honey-scented green flowers bearing a flat, deltate-ovate lip and a slender spur 2.5 to 9 millimeters long pointed back or down.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; southern CA range plus flat lip and honey fragrance are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally dry sites, scrub, chaparral, woodland, forest
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Platanthera cooperi blooms Mar--Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Listera: Piperia flowers have obvious backward spurs; Listera flowers lack spurs entirely.; vs Platanthera: Piperia is leafless at flowering with dense spikes; Platanthera has leafy stems when blooming.; vs Epipactis: Piperia has tight cylindrical spikes of tiny spurred flowers; Epipactis has loose rows of larger spurless flowers.; vs Goodyera: Piperia is leafless when flowering; Goodyera has distinctive white-veined evergreen leaves present at bloom.; vs Spiranthes: Piperia flowers have backward spurs in straight spikes; Spiranthes lacks spurs and flowers spiral up stem.
Frequently asked questions
Is Platanthera cooperi native to California?
Yes. Platanthera cooperi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Platanthera cooperi bloom?
Platanthera cooperi blooms Mar--Jun.
Where in California does Platanthera cooperi grow?
Platanthera cooperi occurs in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Platanthera cooperi belong to?
Platanthera cooperi is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Platanthera.
Is Platanthera cooperi rare or endangered?
Platanthera cooperi carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Platanthera dilatata var. leucostachys — White-flowered bog-orchid
- Platanthera elegans — Coast piperia
- Platanthera elegans subsp. decurtata — Point reyes rein-orchid
- Platanthera elegans subsp. elegans — Coast piperia
- Platanthera elongata — Chaparral orchid, wood rein-orchid
- Platanthera ephemerantha — White-flowered rein-orchid
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.