About

Platanthera ciliaris, commonly known as the yellow fringed orchid or orange fringed orchid, is a large and showy species of orchid. Widely distributed across eastern North American, this orchid can be found along the longleaf pine landscapes of the Gulf Coast of the United States, as well as in various acidic wetlands, bogs, and pine savannas. Like many species in these habitats, it is dependent upon sunny, open conditions to thrive. Often, these environments are created from periodic disturbances such as recurring fires.

P. ciliaris is a perennial that depends on mycorrhizal fungi for seed germination and often hybridizes with other closely related Platanthera species. The species is primarily pollinated by large butterflies, mostly swallowtails, and has been known to vary pollinator species depending on geographic location of a given population.

Uses

The modern uses of Platanthera ciliaris remain relatively unknown, however, historically Native American tribes, notably the Cherokee and Seminole tribes, have used the species in a variety of ways. Medicinally, the roots of the plant were used as an anti-diarrhetic, to relieve headaches, and even to treat snake bites. Additionally, fishermen would use bits of the roots as bait, as it was believed to "make the fish bite better."

Other Platanthera plants

Platanthera unalascensis · Rein orchid · Green Platanthera · Northern green orchid · Hochstetter's Butterfly Orchid · Platanthera bakeriana · Platanthera bhutanica · Lesser butterfly-orchid · White fringed orchid · Shortflowered bog orchid · Platanthera calceoliformis · Platanthera carnosilabris