Pale green orchid is a native wildflower in the Orchidaceae (orchid) family found in eastern and central North America. In North Carolina, it is found scattered throughout the state in wet areas such as floodplain forests, hardwood, white-cedar, and cypress swamps, riparian thickets, and wet meadows. There are two varieties of this orchid, one found in the north and one in the southern part of its range. In ideal conditions, it can form small colonies and spreads by tubers. It is small reaching a mature height of 2 feet and with of 1 foot. In the south, it can bloom spring into fall with tall spikes of understated hooded yellow-green flowers. The flowers have a nectar spur that extends out the back end of the flower and are visited by moths. It prefers full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions including standing water, and sandy or sandy-peaty soil. It can be difficult to cultivate and is generally not for sale. Does not transplant well. It is considered threatened or endangered in some states due to loss of habitat. Use around bogs amd ponds, in water gardens and pollinator gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
2-5 leaves per stem, sessile, sheathing, glabrous, entire, narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, acute at apex, dull green above, slightly shinier below. They are up to 8 inches long and 2 inches wide, becoming smaller as the ascend the stem.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower value
Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Lipped
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
2-10 inch long spike of 1/3 inch whitish green or yellowish-green flowers with 3 petals and 3 sepals. The upper sepal curves forward and functions as a protective hood. The lowest petal forms the lower lip that curves forward and downward from the center of the flower forming a spur. The base has a pair of tiny eared lobes at the margins. There is also a small tubercle (or bump) that is found toward the base of the lip. Blooms spring into fall. Pollinated by mosquitoes and moths.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Capsule nearly erect, ellipsoidal, to 1/3 inch long, finely ribbed. It contains numerous tiny seeds that are dispersed by the wind.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stout central stem is light green and glabrous.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
E. Canada to E. Central & SE. U.S.A
Distribution
coastal plain of New Jersy and Maryland, south to central Florida, west to southeastern Texas, western Arkansas, eastern Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, western Tennessee, and western Kentucky. Nova Scotia in Canada.
Wildlife value
Moths such as Anageshna primordialis nectar at the flowers.