About Platanthera elongata (Rydb.) R.M.Bateman
Platanthera elongata is an orchid species, commonly called denseflower rein orchid, chaparral orchid, and wood rein-orchid. It is native to western North America, ranging from British Columbia and Montana south to southern California, where it grows in mountain forest and scrub habitats. This orchid grows erect from a bulbous caudex, reaching a maximum height of around 1.3 meters, with its stem narrowing toward the tip. Its basal leaves grow up to 30 centimeters long and 6.5 centimeters wide, while leaves positioned higher on the stem are much smaller in size. The upper section of the stem holds a spike-shaped inflorescence made up of many small green flowers, which are sometimes densely packed. The flowers sometimes produce a faint, variable fragrance in the evenings. Each flower has a spur that can grow up to 1.5 centimeters long.
