Slender Bog Orchid (Platanthera stricta) along Beaver Lake Trail
One of several fairly common orchids around Sitka, I have seen the Slender Bog Orchid (Platanthera stricta) in a variety of habitats, from low elevation forests, open meadows and fens, and up to the alpine. With relatively small green flowers, it’s not an especially showy plant by orchid standards. Plants are usually at least several inches tall, and I have found them over a foot. The appearance of the plant seems (to my minimally trained eyes) fairly variable. That is probably due in part to growing conditions (shaded vs. sunny), as well as just variability within the species. There are other similar green orchids that are known to occur in Southeast Alaska, but around Sitka at least, it seems that almost everything I find ends up being this one.
Questions:
- Does this species require specific fungi to grow?
- What pollinates the flowers?
- Does anything eat these?
