Status: Threatened (54 FR 39857; September 28, 1989). Critical habitat has not been designated.
Description: The eastern prairie fringed orchid arises from a fleshy tuber. The plant can grow up to three feet (91 cm) tall.
The inflorescence is large and showy and may have up to 40 white flowers. The leaves are long and thin. It is distinguished from the
western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) by its smaller flowers [less than one inch (2.5 cm) long], more oval petals,
and a shorter nectar spur.
Life History: The eastern prairie fringed orchid is a long-lived perennial plant. Its tuber rootstalk helps it survive grass
fires. Fires and rain stimulate the plant to grow and flower. The plant emerges each year in May and flowering begins by late June.
The flowers are pollinated at night by large sphinx moths.
Habitat: The eastern prairie fringed orchid is found in moist to wet tallgrass prairie. In the eastern part of its range, it
is found in wet sedge meadows.
Distribution: Historically, the eastern prairie fringed orchid occurred east of the Mississippi River and in Iowa and Missouri.
Scattered populations are found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada.
A historic record exists for Choctaw County, Oklahoma. The plant has not been observed in Oklahoma in the past 150 years.
Causes of Decline: The major factor in the decline of the eastern prairie fringed orchid has been a loss of habitat due to
grazing, fire suppression, and agricultural conversion.
Recovery Needs: Populations of the eastern prairie fringed orchid are being monitored and new populations are being
sought. It is important to maintain proper habitat for existing populations. This includes periodic burning to eliminate woody vegetation.
Other information: The first collection (1819) of this species was in Arkansas Territory, now Choctaw County. However, it
has not been observed in Oklahoma since that time.
