Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid No. 2

The Story:       The Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) is protected under the Endangered Species Act.  In what used to be abundant in Ohio, is now a rarity. The USDA reports that agriculture wiped out the habitat coupled with the only believed species that can pollinate the flower is the Sphinx Moth.  The moth is only active at night and the bloom only lasts 7 to 10 days.  ONDR reports the orchid was rediscovered in 1972 after a 64-year void…from a single corn field.  On this day, I found three plants in the whole park.

State:          Ohio

Year:                2022