Platanthera sonoharai




Family Orchidaceae
Subfamily Orchidoideae
Tribe Orchideae
Subtribe Orchidinae
Scientific name Platanthera sonoharai Masamune
Synonyms Tulotis sonoharae (Masamune) K. Nakajima
Common name (Japanese common name) kunigami-tonbo-sou (クニガミトンボソウ, 国頭蜻蛉草 [meaning: Kunigami Village dragonfly weed]), sonohara-tonbo (ソノハラトンボ, 園原蜻蛉 [meaning: Mr. Sonohara's dragonfly weed])
(English common name) none
Distribution (Japan) Okinawa
(Other nations) none
Habitat Mountane streamside.
Chromosomal number unknown
Description Leaves linear 8-13cm long. Stems 15-25cm tall. Flowers pale green ca. 7-8mm across, lip 4-5mm long, flowering in September to October. Terrestrial. Summer green. Perennial plants.
Reference Platanthera sonoharai Masam.
Molecular phylogenetics and morphological reappraisal of the Platanthera clade (Orchidaceae: Orchidinae) prompts expansion of the generic limits of Galearis and Platanthera
Note Very rare species.
Cllection and transfer of Platanthera sonoharai shall be strictly prohibited by the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in Japan.
Photos below are those of an orchid which was legitimately cultivated by Mr. Shunji Mitsuhashi in his green house under the permission by the Japanese government based on the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.



September 2009
at Mr. Mitsuhashi's green house
September 2009
at Mr. Mitsuhashi's green house