Platanthera tescamnis
Green flowered bog orchid
(c) Reid Hardin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Platanthera tescamnis (Green flowered bog orchid) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by large size and distinctive sickle-shaped petals diagnostic.
Green flowered bog orchid is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin bioregions in mesic canyons, woodland edges, dry slopes, and conifer forests at elevations of 1,825 to 2,950 meters. Flowering from June to August, this orchid produces green to yellow-green flowers with sickle-shaped petals forming a distinctive hood. Growing 29 to 126 centimeters tall with an upright habit, the plant has 4 to 9 leaves clustered near its base. Its leaves range from 8 to 29 centimeters long and 8 to 50 millimeters wide, varying from lance-linear to elliptic to ovate in shape. The orchid's complex flower structure includes a pendent, generally lanceolate lip and a curved, cylindric spur about as long as the lip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; large size and distinctive sickle-shaped petals diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mesic canyons, woodland edge, dry slopes, conifer forest
Elevation: 1825-2950 m
California counties: Mono, Tulare, Fresno
Outside California: to Colorado, Arizona
Bloom period
Platanthera tescamnis blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Spiranthes: Platanthera flowers have spurs and grow in a regular spike, while Spiranthes flowers lack spurs and spiral up the stem.; vs Fritillaria: Platanthera has narrow leaves with a central fold and small spurred flowers, while Fritillaria has broader leaves and large nodding bell-shaped flowers.; vs Clintonia: Platanthera has flowers in a spike with spurs, while Clintonia has few large flowers without spurs and broad basal leaves.; vs Epipactis: Platanthera leaves have one central fold and flowers have spurs, while Epipactis leaves have multiple pleats and flowers lack spurs.; vs Habenaria: Habenaria is an outdated name for Platanthera - they are the same genus.
Frequently asked questions
Is Platanthera tescamnis native to California?
Yes. Platanthera tescamnis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Platanthera tescamnis bloom?
Platanthera tescamnis blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Platanthera tescamnis grow?
Platanthera tescamnis occurs in Mono, Tulare, Fresno, at elevations of 1825-2950 m.
What plant family does Platanthera tescamnis belong to?
Platanthera tescamnis is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Platanthera.
What habitat does Platanthera tescamnis grow in?
Platanthera tescamnis grows in Mesic canyons, woodland edge, dry slopes, 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.