Platanthera sparsiflora

Limnorchis ensifolia Rydb.:
Mexico (Mesoamerica)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Habenaria sparsiflora var. laxiflora (Rydb.) Correll:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Habenaria sparsiflora S. Watson:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Platanthera sparsiflora var. ensifolia Luer:
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Platanthera sparsiflora (S. Watson) Schltr.:
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah; Mexico (Baja California).

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: Regional endemic.

United States

Origin: Unknown/Undetermined

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Global Range: From WA to Baja CA, MT, UT, CO, NV, AZ, NM.

Plants 20–125 cm or more. Leaves few–several, ascending to recurved-spreading, scattered along stem or sometimes clustered near base, gradually to abruptly reduced to bracts distally; blade ovate-, oblong-, or oblanceolate-elliptic to linear, 6.5–30 × 0.8–5 cm. Spikes very lax to dense. Flowers resupinate, not showy, green to yellowish green; lateral sepals reflexed or sometimes spreading; petals ovate- to lance-falcate, margins entire; lip descending or reflexed, oblong or linear to linear-oblong or linear-lanceolate, a thickened median basal ridge present or absent, 4.5–11 × 0.6–3 mm, margins entire; spur slightly clavate, cylindric, or tapering toward usually rather acute apex; rostellum lobes somewhat divergent, directed forward, rounded-subangular, rather prominent, to strongly divergent, very small, rounded, obscure; pollinaria straight; pollinia remaining enclosed in anther sacs; viscidia orbiculate to oblong; ovary rather slender to stout, mostly 5–14 mm. 2n = 42.

Habenaria sparsiflora S. Watson, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 12: 276. 1877; H. sparsiflora var. laxiflora (Rydberg) Correll; Limnorchis ensifolia Rydberg; L. laxiflora Rydberg; L. sparsiflora (S. Watson) Rydberg; Platanthera sparsiflora var. ensifolia (Rydberg) Luer

Wet meadows, marshes, fens, stream banks, shores, seeping slopes; 0--3500m.

Comments: In Colorado: in very wet, marshy streamsides or on hillside seeps, usually in black, organic-rich mud, and often associated with Betula fontinalis. Most often between 6000 and 8000 feet.

Comments: Moist or wet soil in mtn. meadows, marshes, swamps, bogs, forests, on stream banks & open seepage slopes.

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 21 - 80

Comments: Sixteen known occurrences in Colorado. Bill Jennings notes about 20 populations in UT and 8-10 in Arizona, and others in Nevada, New Mexico, and possibly California.

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 81 to >300

Comments: Occurs in 9 states, only listed as sensitive in WA.

Flowering Apr--Sep.

Rounded Global Status Rank: T4 - Apparently Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N4 - Apparently Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: T4 - Apparently Secure

Reasons: Approximately 45 occurrences in states where inventoried; status undetermined in several other states.

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked

Rounded Global Status Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure

Reasons: Wide-spread, not listed as sensitive except in WA.

Global Short Term Trend: Unknown

Comments: No long term research available. May be declining considering the trend of wetland areas.

Comments: Some populations are in or near areas that are grazed. There are also potential threats from other land use activities such as road contruction, recreational use, and wetland conversion.

Comments: B or C. Grazing, herbicides, diking, filling, road construction (WAHP).

Biological Research Needs: Need to know more about population sizes, threats, etc.