Wildflowers of the United States

Snowy Orchid, Bog Torch, Frog Spear, White Frog Arrow, White Rein Orchid - Platanthera nivea

Native Status: Native

Monocot Perennial Herb Leaves:Alternate Leaves:Simple

Platanthera nivea - Snowy Orchid, Bog Torch, Frog Spear, White Frog Arrow, White Rein Orchid.
There are over 30 species of Platanthera (Fringed Orchid, although some, such as Snowy Orchid, are not fringed) in North America - around 200 worldwide - with at least one species in every state in the United States and every province in Canada.
Platanthera nivea is primarily an endemic species of bogs and wet savannas of the coastal plains in the southeastern United States, with a few scattered inland populations, such as the disjunct presence in Coffee County, Tennessee. It also had a historical presence in Arkansas County in Arkansas, but it is believed to be extirpated in that state. It was once quite abundant in the outer coastal plains from the Carolinas and southward, but is now classified as rare in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. It may be missing entirely at the northern end of its range where it was previously present in Delaware, and it is rare in New Jersey. While the USDA lists it as present in Virginia, that may be due to mistaken identification as other authorities do not note its presence there. It is ranked as Critically Imperiled in Tennessee, with the photos on this page taken at its only known location in the state.
Synonym Habenaria nivea

Found in:
AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, SC, TN, TX, VA

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Distribution of Platanthera nivea in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
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Site: May Prairie State Natural Area, Coffee County, TN Date: 2017-July-10	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The brilliant flower of Platanthera nivea is up to about 1/2 inch across and with a spur up to 3/4 of an inch long.

Site: May Prairie State Natural Area, Coffee County, TN Date: 2017-July-10	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The inflorescence of Snowy Orchid is a dense terminal spike of many bright white flowers.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: May Prairie State Natural Area, Coffee County, TN Date: 2017-July-10	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
Snowy Orchid grows to about 3 feet tall, topped by the brilliant white inflorescence when the plant blooms - which may not occur in entire populations for several years at a time. The linear stem leaves are few and bract-like.
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Site: May Prairie State Natural Area, Coffee County, TN Date: 2017-July-10	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
In the wet savannas where Platanthera nivea grows, it can be lost among the rest of the plants until it flowers.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: May Prairie State Natural Area, Coffee County, TN Date: 2017-July-10	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
There are basal leaves which are withered by or soon after anthesis. They are linear and appear grasslike, up to about 3/4 inch wide.
Click on the photo for a larger image

References used for identification and information:

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Platanthera nivea initially published on USWildflowers.com 2018-07-14; Updated 2018-07-14

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer

Code Update 20230302