Greater Butterfly-orchid

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Greater Butterfly-Orchid

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gymnadenia chlorantha
• Habenaria montana
• Orchis platanthera
• Platanthera montana
• Orchis montana
• Platanthera chlorantha var. montana
• × Pseudanthera breadalbanensis
• Orchis bifolia var. macroglossa
• Platanthera chlorantha var. grandiflora
• Orchis bifolia var. elatior
• Platanthera virescens
• Platanthera montana var. gselliana
• Platanthera bifolia subsp. chlorantha
• Platanthera chlorantha var. gselliana
• Platanthera chlorantha f. grandiflora
• Platanthera chlorantha var. angustata
• Orchis chlorantha
• Platanthera chlorantha f. bracteata
• Platanthera chlorantha var. robusta
• Platanthera bifolia var. montana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Orchidaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Platanthera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Additionally, its presence is documented throughout the United Kingdom, specifically in Great Britain and Ireland. The species also extends its range into the northern territories of Norway. Together, these locations define the primary habitat for this medicinal plant.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Platanthera chlorantha is defined by its preference for specific environmental niches, primarily thriving within the complex structures of forests and shrubberies. It occupies these habitats by integrating into the understory or edge environments where filtered sunlight and sufficient moisture are available to support its growth. Within these forested and shrubby ecosystems, the plant relies on the organic matter and soil compositions typical of these biomes to sustain its life cycle. Its presence in such habitats suggests a dependency on the microclimates provided by dense vegetation, which helps regulate temperature and humidity levels essential for its ecological stability.

Habitat :

forest, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Platanthera chlorantha is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. This plant functions as a cryptophyte, specifically adopting a geophyte life form, which means it relies on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable periods. Its growth pattern is notably deciduous, with the above-ground structures shedding during dormant phases to protect the plant's energy reserves held below the soil surface.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Platanthera chlorantha is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This terrestrial plant typically maintains a relatively low stature, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, resulting in an average height of approximately 0.145 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber or a vine, nor does it exhibit epiphyte or parasitic behaviors, operating instead as an independent terrestrial species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.145 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Platanthera chlorantha is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on autotrophic methods rather than capturing prey to meet its metabolic requirements. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of 16.12 cm², which correlates with its resource allocation efficiency as indicated by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 206 cm²/g.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

16.12 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

206 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Platanthera chlorantha is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period, with blooms typically beginning in June and concluding in July. The pollination process is strictly biotic, relying on an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These fruits are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to release seeds. The resulting seeds are extremely minute, with a mean mass of approximately 3e-06 g. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, where the lightweight seeds are carried by wind currents to new locations.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

3e-06 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Platanthera chlorantha has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BENZYL ACETATE.

BENZYL ACETATE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Platanthera chlorantha has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts.

Extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)