Platanthera orbiculata

Platanthera orbiculata, the round leaved orchid^[2] or lesser roundleaved orchid,^[3] is a species of orchid native to forested areas of North America. It is widespread across most of Canada and parts of the United States (Alaska, New England, Appalachian Mountains, Great Lakes Region, Rocky Mountains, Black Hills and northern Cascades).^[1][4]

Platanthera orbiculata
Flowers of Platanthera orbiculata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Orchidoideae
Genus:	Platanthera
Species:	P. orbiculata
Binomial name
Platanthera orbiculata (Pursh) Lindl.
Synonyms[1]
Orchis orbiculata Pursh Habenaria orbiculata (Pursh) Torr. Habenaria orbiculata var. lehorsii Fernald Habenaria orbiculata var. menziesii (Lindley) Fernald Platanthera orbiculata var. lehorsii (Fernald) Catling

Subspecies

There is two accepted subspecies, Platanthera orbiculata var. macrophylla and Platanthera orbiculata var. orbiculata.^[5]

Habitat

Platanthera orbiculata is found in moist to mesic shaded locations in forests. Each plant has two large, nearly round leaves that lie close to the ground, plus a vertical flowering stalk bearing a spike of small, white flowers.^[1]