Royal rein orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal rein orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Platanthera
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| Species: |
transversa
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| Synonyms | |
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Piperia transversa Suksd. |
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The Platanthera transversa is a type of orchid. People often call it the royal rein orchid or the flat spurred piperia.
This special plant grows in western North America. You can find it from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to California in the United States. It likes to live in forests, woodlands, and areas with chaparral (a type of shrubland). It often grows in dry places.
Contents
About the Royal Rein Orchid
This orchid can grow quite tall, up to about 55 centimeters (about 21 inches). It grows from a round, bulb-like base called a caudex, which helps it store energy.
Leaves and Stem
The leaves at the bottom of the plant can be as long as 19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches) and 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) wide. As you look higher up the stem, the leaves become much smaller.
Flowers and Scent
The top part of the stem has many flowers grouped together. This cluster of flowers is called an inflorescence. The flowers are usually white or yellowish. They often have green lines, like veins, on them.
These flowers smell very nice, especially in the evenings. Many people say they smell like cloves, a common spice.
How They Get Pollinated
The royal rein orchid's flowers are pollinated by special insects. These insects are a type of moth called geometrid moths. When the moths visit the flowers, they help the plant make seeds.
See also
In Spanish: Piperia transversa para niños
