About Platanthera ephemerantha R.M.Bateman
Platanthera ephemerantha is a species of orchid that has three common names: white-flower rein orchid, slender white piperia, and white-flowered piperia. It is native to western North America, ranging from Alaska down to the San Francisco Bay Area. In this range, it grows in coniferous forests and other habitats in coastal and inland mountain ranges, located within approximately 150 kilometers of the coast. This orchid grows erect to around half a meter tall, and emerges from a bulbous caudex. Its basal leaves can reach up to 18 centimeters long and 3 centimeters wide, while leaves growing higher on the stem are much smaller. The upper section of the stem forms a spikelike inflorescence that can hold up to 100 small flowers, which are mostly arranged along one side of the stem. The fragrant flowers carry a honey scent, and are whiter than the flowers of other Platanthera species, though they may sometimes have green tints, green veins, or be green with white margins. It is difficult to determine the wild conservation status of this species, because most of its populations are small and only produce flowers very rarely.
