Western Prairie Fringed Orchid - Platanthera praeclara
![[photo of Western Prairie Fringed Orchid]](images/orchid1.jpg)
Western prairie fringed orchid grows in tallgrass prairies and meadows. It is threatened primarily by wetland draining and the conversion of rich soil prairies to agricultural cropland. Overgrazing, improper use of pesticides, and collecting also threatens its survival in Missouri. Western prairie fringed orchid is listed ENDANGERED by the Missouri Department of Conservation and THREATENED by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Identification
Western prairie fringed orchid is a stout, erect plant standing 1 to 4 feet tall. It has 2 to 5 elongated leaves along its angular stem. This perennial orchid blooms from late June to July and bears seed from July to September. Its flowers are creamy to greenish white. Each flower has a hood-shaped petal with three deeply fringed lobes and a long nectar spur in back. The blossoms occur in showy clusters at the top of each plant. The flowers are fragrant at night to attract moths, which are the only known pollinators. The orchid may remain dormant in the soil during drought periods.
Two other white fringed orchids may be found in Missouri. The eastern prairie fringed orchid is very similar to the western, and at one time they were considered a single species. The eastern prairie fringed orchid has rounded stems and smaller flowers than the western species. It is also a federally threatened species. Another similar species is ragged orchid, which is smaller, has greener flowers, a narrower flower spike, and a shorter nectar spur.
For a technical description of this plant, refer to:
Steyermark, J.A. 1963. Flora of Missouri. Iowa State Press. Ames, Iowa. 1728 pp.
Habitat and Distribution
Western prairie fringed orchid is native to tallgrass prairies, sedge meadows, wet uplands, and river bottom prairies and meadows. In Missouri, populations of western prairie fringed orchid occur in rich, deep-soil upland prairies. Outside Missouri, it has been found in pastures, ditches, and cultivated fields and seems to tolerate some disturbance.
The western prairie fringed orchid was historically located in the western region of the state along several of Missouri's rivers. Populations were observed in western portions of the Ozark region, in the Osage Plains region, and along the northwestern portion of the Missouri River. Presently, this orchid has only been recorded from Atchinson, Holt, and Harrison counties.
Cause of Historic Decline
Historical reasons for declines in populations of western prairie fringed orchid are the direct result of loss of prairie habitat. At the time of European settlement, there were around 18 million acres of tallgrass prairie in the Midwest. Less than 1 percent remains today. As prairies were converted to cropland, the amount of suitable orchid habitat dwindled. Western prairie fringed orchid depends on open, sunny, prairie habitat. Its continued survival is dependent on good prairie management. Landowners can take an active role in protecting and managing prairie habitat.
Current Threats To Western Prairie Fringed Orchid
- Loss of habitat Changes in habitat resulting from the conversion of pastures and hayfields into cropland continue to threaten populations of orchids. Clearing land for residential and commercial development has also added to a reduction in orchid habitat.
- Incompatible Land Management Haying during mid-summer prevents the orchid from fruiting and setting and dispersing its seeds. Fire suppression allows woody shrubs to invade prairies and converts them into habitats unsuitable for orchids. The absence of fire also allows plant litter to accumulate. Intensive grazing may lead to a reduction in orchid populations through trampling or predation. Furthermore, overgrazing can lead to changes in habitat quality and make it easier for woody and weedy plant species to invade prairies.
- Pesticides Pesticide use may harm orchid populations directly or affect its moth pollinator.
- Collection This rare orchid may be threatened by collection for private, commercial, or scientific use.
Protection and Management: Steps Toward Recovery
Compatible land management is essential for the continued survival of this orchid. Western prairie fringed orchids are shade intolerant and need open, sunny spaces in prairie habitats. Management to maintain the prairie community may be necessary. Natural grasslands should not be converted into agricultural areas in order to preserve orchid habitat.
- Delay mowing hay meadows until after mid-September to allow seeds to mature and disperse. Hay may be harvested in other areas of a meadow that do not support orchids. If haying needs to be done where the orchid is found, mark individual plants to avoid mowing them. Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation for identification help.
- Periodically burn prairies in a prescribed manner to help promote flowering and prevent invasion of woody plants. Burning is traditionally done in early April, although fall burning has also been shown to stimulate growth in this orchid. Removal of some woody species by timber cutting may be required. Your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or Missouri Department of Conservation Field Service Agent should be contacted prior to burning.
- Regulate grazing on pastures where the orchid is located. Moderate grazing may promote flowering and help reduce competitors.
- Do not use pesticides in areas where the orchid is located. These chemicals can possibly harm or kill the plant and its moth pollinator. If pesticide use is necessary to control thistle or other noxious weeds, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service office to develop a pesticide management plan.
- Discourage collecting of this rare and protected species.
Missouri and federal law prohibits the exportation, transportation, or sale plants on the State or Federal lists.
For more information on western prairie fringed orchid, or to report sightings of this species, contact:
Endangered Species Coordinator or Natural History Division Botanist Missouri Department of Conservation Natural History Division P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573/751-4115
For more information on pasture improvement programs or additional information about western prairie fringed orchid management, contact:
Your Local Natural Resources Conservation Service Office
