Platanthera yosemitensis
Yosemite bog-orchid
(c) My-Lan Le, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by My-Lan Le · licence
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Platanthera yosemitensis (Yosemite bog-orchid) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by distinctive fragrance, yellow color, and sac-like spur diagnostic.
Yosemite bog-orchid is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in central and southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, specifically in Yosemite National Park, inhabiting wet meadows at elevations of 2,100 to 2,285 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow-green flowers with a distinctive hood-like shape formed by its upper sepal and petals, creating a strongly pungent scent. Growing 20 to 80 centimeters tall with erect stems, it develops 5 to 7 lanceolate leaves clustered near the base, each leaf 9 to 25 centimeters long and 1.5 to 3 centimeters wide. Its most distinctive feature is the lance-rhombic lip, typically 4 to 6 millimeters long and often upturned, accompanied by a sac-like floral spur 2 to 28 millimeters in length. The plant produces small capsules measuring 0.3 to 1 centimeter, completing its reproductive cycle in these high-elevation Sierra Nevada meadows.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinctive fragrance, yellow color, and sac-like spur diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows
Elevation: 2100-2285 m
California counties: Mariposa, Plumas, Fresno
Bloom period
Platanthera yosemitensis blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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flowers have spurs, while Epipactis leaves have multiple pleats and flowers lack spurs.; vs Habenaria: Habenaria is an outdated name for Platanthera - they are the same genus.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 yosemitensis native to California?
Yes. Platanthera yosemitensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Platanthera yosemitensis bloom?
Platanthera yosemitensis blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Platanthera yosemitensis grow?
Platanthera yosemitensis occurs in Mariposa, Plumas, Fresno, at elevations of 2100-2285 m.
What plant family does Platanthera yosemitensis belong to?
Platanthera yosemitensis is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Platanthera.
Is Platanthera yosemitensis rare or endangered?
Platanthera yosemitensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Platanthera elegans subsp. elegans — Coast piperia
- Spiranthes perexilis — Slender starry ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes porrifolia — Western ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes romanzoffiana — Hooded ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes ×sierrae — Sierra 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.