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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Piperia unalascensis (Spreng.) Rydb.
Alaska Rein Orchid, Slender-spire orchid
Synonym(s): Habenaria unalascensis, Platanthera cooperi, Platanthera unalascensis, Spiranthes unalascensis
USDA Symbol: PIUN3
1 or few stems, leafy near base, with pale green, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in long, slender, open racemes.
The species name comes from Unalaska, an island in the Aleutians. A number of small northern orchids were formerly put in the inclusive genus Habenaria, which has been divided into several smaller genera, including Piperia.
Bloom InformationBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
, WY Canada: AB
, ON Native Distribution:
Alaska south and east to Quebec, and south to Baja California, northern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, western South Dakota, and Minnesota; also near Great Lakes. Native Habitat:
Dry woods, gravelly streambanks, and open slopes.
National Wetland Indicator Status
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1
(Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here
for map of regions.
Record Last Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff