Slender bog orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slender bog orchid |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Platanthera
|
| Species: |
stricta
|
The Slender bog orchid, also known by its scientific name Platanthera stricta, is a beautiful wild flower. It belongs to the amazing orchid family. This special plant grows in wet, cool places across western North America.
Contents
Discovering the Slender Bog Orchid
Where Does This Orchid Grow?
The Slender bog orchid is found in many parts of western North America. You can see it from Alaska and Yukon in the north. It grows all the way down to Utah and northern California. This orchid loves wet areas. You can often find it in shady forest meadows. It also grows near streams or in damp, marshy spots.
What Does the Slender Bog Orchid Look Like?
This orchid has a tall, thin stem that stands straight up. It can grow to be about 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) tall. That's almost as tall as a third-grader! The leaves are longest near the bottom of the stem. They can be up to 11 centimeters (about 4 inches) long and 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) wide.
The flowers grow in a cluster along the stem. This cluster is called an inflorescence. The flowers are usually green. Sometimes, they have a hint of red or purple. Each flower is quite small, about 1/2 centimeter (about 0.2 inches) long.
Special Parts of the Flower
Orchid flowers have some unique parts. The Slender bog orchid has sepals and petals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. Petals are the colorful parts that attract insects. Each flower also has a special part called a spur. This spur is shaped like a club. It holds nectar, which is a sweet liquid that insects love to drink. When insects visit the flower for nectar, they help the plant make seeds. This is how the orchid reproduces.
