Monday, August 30, 2010

Holding Court with Royalty, Part 4 - The Crown Prince (Platanthera chapmanii)


One of the rarest orchids in the United States, Platanthera chapmanii is believed to be descended from natural hybrids of Platanthera cristata and Platanthera ciliaris owing to the fact that it appears to be intermediate in form and size between these two species. Because of this, it has been given the hybrid designation Platanthera x chapmanii in some publications. While it does often inhabit the same areas where one or both of the purported parents are also found, this is not always the case. Further, it appears to maintain stable populations, sometimes rather expansive, in areas where it is found. Because of these qualities, it has been elevated in recent years to a species in its own right.

You can read more about this species at the newly revamped Platanthera chapmanii page below:

>> Chapman's Fringed Orchid Information Page <<

Enjoy!
---Prem

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Orchid enthusiasts are probably a lot like birders, no? - As in you have your list of species, hybrids included. I can't say my list is very long although I've probably walked right by a bunch I didn't know about.

Prem said...

It's very much like that...I have a list of about 95 species that are still found within the state that I'm trying to photograph (I'm at around 53 or so).

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