Royal Rein Orchid (Platanthera transversa)

One of the many orchids I saw on Orcas island, the Royal Rein Orchid is a member of the Orchidacea family and has a widespread distribution between California and British Columbia. They are a least concern species and have secure populations throughout their range (yay!). They are commonly found in dry habitats like oak woodlands and conifer forests, but can also grow in scrublands and thickets. Their inflorescence is is made up of several yellow-white flowers that have green veins down the middle of its labellum. What distinguishes this orchid from other species in Platanthera is its long flattened spur (long appendage on backside of flower) that is twice the length of the labellum (bottom lip of orchid). At night, the flowers produce a clove scented pheromone that attracts geometrid moths for pollination, but I’ve never had the chance to see what they smell like. On Orcas island, this orchid is fairly widespread and grows alongside madronas, salal, stonecrop, douglas fir, and shag moss. Always happy to see this plant come back year after year in the islands, like seeing an old friend.