Ontario Wildflowers website

Alaska Orchid
Platanthera unalascensis
(formerly Piperia unalascensis)

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) Other common names: Alaska Orchis, Alaska Rein Orchis, Slender Spire Orchid

Other scientific names: Piperia unalascensis, Habenaria unalascensis, Spiranthes unalascensis

Family: Orchid Family (Orchidaceae)

Group: Orchids

Flowers: Summer;  Green/Brown;  Irregular flowers

Leaves: Simple, Entire

Habitat: Forests

Native/Non-native: Native

Photography notes: It's tough to photograph these tiny green flowers. And watch out for your background when you attempt to photograph the entire plant - it's a challenge to get the entire plant in focus while at the same time having a nicely blurred background.

Photographs: 183 photographs available, of which 16 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

Closeup view of Alaska Orchid flowers.

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

A different closeup view of Alaska Orchid flowers.

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

Alaska Orchid flowers are strung out a long thin stalk.

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) flowers

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) plant

An entire Alaska Orchid plant, showing the basal leaves.

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) plant

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) plant

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) plant

This is how Alaska Orchid plants appear when you are walking through their habitat.

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) plant

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) leaves and sprout

Basal leaves of Alaska Orchid and a sprout, in early June.

Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis) leaves

The underside of Alaska Orchid leaves is shiny.


Range map for Alaska Orchid (Platanthera unalascensis)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)