Platanthera obtusata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Platanthera obtusata |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Platanthera
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| Species: |
obtusata
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Platanthera obtusata, also known as the blunt-leaved orchid or small northern bog orchid, is a fascinating little plant. It's a type of orchid, which are famous for their beautiful and unique flowers. This orchid is found in many cold parts of the Northern Hemisphere, which means the northern half of the world. Even though it grows in a wide area, it can be quite rare in some places.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of this orchid that scientists recognize:
- Platanthera obtusata subsp. obtusata: This type grows in Alaska (including the Aleutian Islands), most of Canada (all 13 provinces and territories), and south along the Rocky Mountains into northern New Mexico. You can also find it in the Great Lakes States, the Adirondack Mountains, northern New England, and on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
- Platanthera obtusata subsp. oligantha (Turcz.) Hultén: This type is found across parts of Europe and Asia, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Siberia, and the Russian Far East.
How It Gets Pollinated
One of the most interesting things about the blunt-leaved orchid is how it gets pollinated. Pollination is how plants reproduce, often with the help of animals. For this orchid, several kinds of mosquitoes help with pollination! Other insects also play a role.
Mosquitoes are usually known for biting, but they also drink nectar from flowers. When a mosquito visits a Platanthera obtusata flower, tiny packets of pollen stick to its head. As the mosquito flies to another orchid, it carries the pollen with it, helping the plant make seeds. This is a great example of how different living things depend on each other in nature.
Where It Lives
The blunt-leaved orchid prefers to grow in cool, damp places. You can often find it in bogs, swamps, and wet forests. It likes areas with mossy ground and plenty of shade. Because it needs these specific conditions, its habitat can be quite sensitive. This is why, even though it's spread out, it can be hard to find in some areas.
This orchid is a small plant, often only growing a few inches tall. It has a single, broad, blunt-tipped leaf close to the ground, which gives it its common name. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow, growing in a loose cluster on a slender stem.
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