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The Western Prairie Fringed Orchid
Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera praeclara) Status: This orchid's existence is currently threatened as per the 54 FR 39857; September 28, 1989. Its critical habitat has not been designated yet. Description: The western prairie fringed orchid usually emrges from a fleshy tuber. This orchid usually grows from 1.25 to 3 feet tall (38-85 cm). Each of these orchids are capable of having up to two dozen or more flowers arranged in a stalk. Using the naked eye, the western prairie fringed orchid can be easily distinguished from the eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) by its slightly larger flowers, petal shape, and longer nectar spur. Life History: This species of orchid is often a long-lived perennial. It emerges in the month of May and blooms in the month of June or in July further north. These flowers are fragrant at night and large sphinx moths ensure pollination. Habitat: The western prairie fringed orchid is a flower that belongs to the tallgrass prairie and requires direct sunlight for growth. This orchid is commonly found in moist habitats or sedge meadows. The Western prairie fringed orchids have persisted in the areas that have been lightly grazed, periodically burned, or regularly mowed. Researches are still baffled as to how these activities affect the growth of the western prairie fringed orchid. It is well-known that the removal of dead grass mulch is beneficial, and that heavy grazing is detrimental to the orchid's existence. Distribution: Historically, the western prairie fringed orchid was first found in tallgrass prairies west of the Mississippi River. The orchid also appreared from extreme southern Canada south to northeast Oklahoma. Currently, extant populations of the western prairie fringed orchid are also found in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and North Dakota. Causes of Decline: The driving force behind the decline of the western prairie fringed orchid has been the conversion of native prairie land to croplands. Other contributing factors to the orchid's decline include fire suppression, overgrazing, and habitat fragmentation. Other information: The western prairie fringed orchid was initially described as a distinct species separate from the eastern prairie fringed orchid in 1986. Both of them are threatened species. Resources
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