Platanthera ciliaris

Platanthera ciliaris, commonly known as the yellow fringed orchid or orange fringed orchid, is a large and showy species of orchid. Widely distributed across eastern North American, this orchid can be found along the longleaf pine landscapes of the Gulf Coast of the United States, as well as in various acidic wetlands, bogs, and pine savannas. Like many species in these habitats, it is dependent upon sunny, open conditions to thrive. Often, these environments are created from periodic disturbances such as recurring fires.

P. ciliaris is a perennial that depends on mycorrhizal fungi for seed germination and often hybridizes with other closely related Platanthera species. The species is primarily pollinated by large butterflies, mostly swallowtails, and has been known to vary pollinator species depending on geographic location of a given population.

Although globally secure, the species faces regional declines and is classified as endangered in most US states, driven by habitat loss, predation, and biotic pressures.