Platanthera elongata
Chaparral orchid, wood rein-orchid, wood rein-orchid, Wood Rein-Orchid
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Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Platanthera elongata (Chaparral orchid, wood rein-orchid) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by tallest stature, sickle-shaped erect petals, and long curved spurs.
Chaparral orchid, also known as wood rein-orchid, is a California native found throughout the California Floristic Province outside the Great Valley and southern Channel Islands, growing in dry scrub, chaparral, mixed-evergreen, or conifer forest below 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this orchid reaches 9 to 130 centimeters tall with faintly fragrant green flowers, sickle-shaped lateral petals, and a slender, generally curved spur 6.5 to 18 millimeters long pointed downward.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; tallest stature, sickle-shaped erect petals, and long curved spurs are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally dry sites, scrub, chaparral, mixed-evergreen or conifer forest
Elevation: < 2200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Amador, Marin, Santa Barbara, Del Norte, San Mateo, Lake, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Cruz, Tehama, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Fresno, Santa Clara, Siskiyou, Mariposa, Riverside, Monterey, Humboldt, Orange, Placer, Plumas, Tulare, Sonoma, El Dorado, Contra Costa, Butte, Trinity, Shasta, Yuba, Alameda, Napa, San Diego, Mendocino, Calaveras, San Benito
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana
Bloom period
Platanthera elongata blooms May--Jul.
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 elongata native to California?
Yes. Platanthera elongata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Platanthera elongata bloom?
Platanthera elongata blooms May--Jul.
Where in California does Platanthera elongata grow?
Platanthera elongata occurs in San Bernardino, Amador, Marin, Santa Barbara, Del Norte, San Mateo, Lake, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of < 2200 m.
What plant family does Platanthera elongata belong to?
Platanthera elongata is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Platanthera.
What habitat does Platanthera elongata grow in?
Platanthera elongata grows in Generally dry sites, scrub, chaparral, mixed-evergreen or conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.