Platanthera leptopetala
Narrow-petaled rein-orchid, Narrow-Petaled Rein-Orchid
(c) Roger Raiche, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Platanthera leptopetala (Narrow-petaled rein-orchid) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by uniquely narrow linear petals (1mm wide, 4-5x as long).
Narrow-petaled rein-orchid is a California native found across the Klamath Ranges, North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area, South Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges, typically in dry sites within scrub and woodland below 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, it bears lemon-scented green flowers with narrow, linear lateral petals and a lanceolate lip paired with a long, tapered, curved spur 4 to 9 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; uniquely narrow linear petals (1mm wide, 4-5x as long) are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally dry sites, scrub, woodland
Elevation: < 2200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Lake, Monterey, Plumas, Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Butte, Shasta, Orange, Napa, Siskiyou, Sonoma, El Dorado, Nevada, Colusa, San Benito, Los Angeles
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Platanthera leptopetala blooms May--Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 leptopetala native to California?
Yes. Platanthera leptopetala is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Platanthera leptopetala bloom?
Platanthera leptopetala blooms May--Jul.
Where in California does Platanthera leptopetala grow?
Platanthera leptopetala occurs in San Bernardino, Lake, Monterey, Plumas, Riverside, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 2200 m.
What plant family does Platanthera leptopetala belong to?
Platanthera leptopetala is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Platanthera.
Is Platanthera leptopetala rare or endangered?
Platanthera leptopetala carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.