Platanthera minor (Miq.) Rchb.f. 1878

Plant and Flowers in situ in Japan Photos courtesy of Natsui

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Common Name The Lesser Platanthera - In Japan - Ooba-no-tonbo-sou [Broad leafed dragonfly weed] or Noyama-no-tonbo-sou [Wild dragonfly weed] - English common name - Green Cap orchid

Flower Size 1/4" [4-5 mm]

Found from SE. China, Korea, central and southerm Japan and Taiwan at elevations of 300-2700 meters in montane, mixed pine and broadleafed forests as a medium to large sized, cool to cold growing terrestrial species with a 1 to 2' [30 to 60 cm] long stem carrying several alternate, lanceolate, basally clasping leaves that blooms in the spring and early summer on an erect, 4 to 6" long, several to 20 flowered, racemose inflorescence

Synonyms *Habenaria japonica var. minor Miq. 1865-6

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; The Wild Orchids of China Tsi, Chen & Mori 1997

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