Platanthera yadonii
Yadon's rein-orchid
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Platanthera yadonii (Yadon's rein-orchid) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by very limited sandy coastal range, unequal petal margins, and daytime fragrance.
Yadon's rein-orchid is a California native restricted to central Coastal California in northern Monterey County, growing in sandy soil or sandstone within coastal scrub and Monterey-pine forest below 150 meters. Flowering from June to July, it produces daytime-fragrant flowers with sickle-shaped, green petals edged in white and a lance-deltate white lip paired with a short, downward-pointed spur.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; very limited sandy coastal range, unequal petal margins, and daytime fragrance are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally sandy soil or sandstone, coastal scrub, Monterey-pine forest
Elevation: < 150 m
California counties: Monterey, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Platanthera yadonii blooms Jun--Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 yadonii native to California?
Yes. Platanthera yadonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Platanthera yadonii bloom?
Platanthera yadonii blooms Jun--Jul.
Where in California does Platanthera yadonii grow?
Platanthera yadonii occurs in Monterey, Santa Cruz, at elevations of < 150 m.
What plant family does Platanthera yadonii belong to?
Platanthera yadonii is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Platanthera.
Is Platanthera yadonii rare or endangered?
Platanthera yadonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Platanthera yosemitensis — Yosemite bog-orchid
- Platanthera colemanii — Coleman's rein-orchid
- Platanthera cooperi — Chaparral rein-orchid
- Platanthera dilatata var. leucostachys — White-flowered bog-orchid
- Platanthera elegans — Coast piperia
- Platanthera elegans subsp. decurtata — Point reyes rein-orchid
- Spiranthes perexilis — Slender starry ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes porrifolia — Western ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes romanzoffiana — Hooded ladies' tresses
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.