This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Platanthera bifolia
  • Butterfly Orchid

a perennial member of the Platanthera genus in the family Orchidaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Acid to Very alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Platanthera bifolia has 0 edible uses listed
Platanthera bifolia has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Tuber - cooked[1][2][3]. It is a source of 'salep', a fine white to yellowish-white powder that is obtained by drying the tuber and grinding it into a powder[4][5][3][6]. Salep is a starch-like substance with a sweetish taste and a faint somewhat unpleasant smell[7]. It is said to be very nutritious and is made into a drink or can be added to cereals and used in making bread etc[8][9][6]. One ounce of salep is said to be enough to sustain a person for a day[9][10].

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Platanthera bifolia.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Salep (see above for more details) is very nutritive and demulcent[7]. It has been used as a diet of special value for children and convalescents, being boiled with water, flavoured and prepared in the same way as arrowroot[7]. Rich in mucilage, it forms a soothing and demulcent jelly that is used in the treatment of irritations of the gastro-intestinal canal[7]. One part of salep to fifty parts of water is sufficient to make a jelly[7]. The tuber, from which salep is prepared, should be harvested as the plant dies down after flowering and setting seed[7].

Unknown part

Demulcent
Nutritive

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[11]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move. Division in autumn. Make sure that you keep plenty of soil with each plant. It is also said to be possible to transplant orchids after they have flowered but whilst they are still in leaf.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Platanthera bifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Easily grown in a sunny position in a moist loam enriched with leaf mould[12]. Flourishes in almost any soil and situation[13][12]. Prefers a moderately shady and well-drained though damp position[13].

Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[14]. The flowers diffuse a most seductive perfume at night and are pollinated by the night hawk moth[15].

Hybridizes freely with several species of the genus Orchis[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Platanthera bifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Platanthera bifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Platanthera bifolia
Genus
Platanthera
Family
Orchidaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Medicinal uses
[7]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[16][11]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Lepidoptera
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
    11. ? 11.011.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. (1938-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    14. ? Cribb. P. & Bailes. C. Hardy Orchids. Orchids for the Garden and Frost-free Greenhouse. Christopher Helm. London. ISBN 0 7470 0416 1 (1989-00-00)
    15. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    16. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Platanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Platanthera_bifolia&oldid=79484"
    Facts about "Platanthera bifolia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyOrchidaceae +
    Belongs to genusPlatanthera +
    Has common nameButterfly Orchid +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partRoot +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeLepidoptera +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imagePlatanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDemulcent + and Nutritive +
    Has primary imagePlatanthera bifolia20090612 006-0.jpg +
    Has search nameplatanthera bifolia + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy namePlatanthera bifolia +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +