Platanthera hookeri

{{Short description|Species of orchid}}

{{speciesbox

|image = Platanthera hookeri 4-eheep (5098051598).jpg

|genus = Platanthera

|species = hookeri

|authority = (Torr.) Lindl.

|synonyms =

{{Plainlist | style = margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; |

  • Habenaria hookeri Torr. ex A. Gray
  • Habenaria hookeriana Lindl.
  • Habenaria oblongifolia (C.N. Paine) G.G. Niles
  • Lysias hookeri (Torr. ex A. Gray) Rydb.
  • Lysias hookeriana (Lindl.) Rydb.
  • Orchis hookeri (Torr.) Alph. Wood
  • Orchis hookeriana (Lindl.) Oakes

}}

|synonyms_ref = {{cite book |title= CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology |author= Umberto Quattrocchi |publisher= CRC Press |year= 2012 |isbn= 9781420080445}}

}}

Platanthera hookeri, otherwise known as Hooker's orchid or Hooker's bog orchid, is a perennial wildflower in the genus Platanthera that can be found in temperate regions of North America ranging from Iowa to Newfoundland.

Characteristics

Hooker's orchid prefers partial shade and is found in dry or mesic forests and either deciduous or coniferous woodlands.{{Go Orchids |genus=Platanthera |species=hookeri}}

=Leaf structure=

Basal and opposite, the two leaves for this orchid are found nearly flat on the ground. The leaves are round in shape with the edges and surface being smooth but wrinkled.

=Pollination and flowers=

thumb

Hooker's orchid flowers take bloom in June and July and are pollinated by skippers and nocturnal moths.{{Minnesota Wildflowers|flower/hookers-orchid|Platanthera hookeri}}{{Cite book |chapter=Platanthera Group|title=The Pollination Biology of North American Orchids: Volume 1 |last=Argue |first=Charles L. |pages=109–121|publisher=Springer |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4614-0592-4 |doi=10.1007/978-1-4614-0592-4_10 }} Though the flowers are hook-like in shape, the plant is actually named after William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865).{{NPIN|PLHO3|Platanthera hookeri}} The plant typically has between 6 and 25 yellow-green, bractless flowers with the lateral petals and the dorsal sepal converging towards each other while the labellum curves upward.

Uses

The roots of Platanthera hookeri are used to calm the nerves, to relieve urinary and gastric issues, and as a stimulant.

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q15435811}}

hookeri