Platanthera chlorantha (Greater butterfly orchid)

Botanical name

Platanthera chlorantha

Other names

Greater butterfly orchid, Greater butterfly-orchid

Genus

Platanthera Platanthera

Species

P. chlorantha - P. chlorantha is a terrestrial, deciduous orchid with a pair of glossy, broadly elliptic, mid-green basal leaves and, in summer, an erect, open, spike-like raceme of fragrant, spurred, white flowers, each with long, narrow, green-tipped lower lip.

Native to

Europe, Morocco

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect flower stem

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Colour

Flower

White, Flushed green in Summer

Foliage

Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Mid-green in Autumn

General care

Pruning

Deadhead faded flowers spikes. Avoid fertilisers and fungicides as these can destroy the symbiotic relationship between the orchid and a soil-dwelling fungus that allows the orchid to absorb sufficient nutrients from the soil.

Propagation

Separate offsets in autumn.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Platanthera chlorantha (Greater butterfly orchid) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.15m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Rock, Greenhouse, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Wildflower, Woodland

Cultivation

Best in moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in light shade. Enrich soil with leaf mould. Will tolerate full sun and most soils and situations.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Platanthera chlorantha (Greater butterfly orchid)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Orchidophilus spp.

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A pest of orchids spreading in trade. Currently absent from the UK and unlikely to establish outdoors. Could cause severe damage to hosts growing in protected cultivation.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Platanthera chlorantha (Greater butterfly orchid)

Common pest name

Rice leaf nematode; Strawberry crimp disease nematode; White tip nematode; White tip nematode of rice

Scientific pest name

Aphelenchoides besseyi

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Damaging nematode affecting rice crops and strawberry production in warmer climates; could potentially present a threat to strawberry production and ornamental production in protected environments. But modern production practices seem to reduce likelihood of impacts. Pest is also regulated at EU level; which reduces likelihood of entry.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Platanthera chlorantha (Greater butterfly orchid)

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/