Taxon Report

Piperia elegans (Lindl.) Rydb. ssp. decurtata Morgan & Glicenstein

Point Reyes rein orchid

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Piperia elegans ssp. decurtata, commonly known as Point Reyes rein orchid, is a perennial herb in the Orchidaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Coastal bluff scrub, and Coastal prairie, growing at elevations from 15 to 185 meters. Piperia elegans ssp. decurtata is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Piperia elegans (Lindl.) Rydb. ssp. decurtata Morgan & Glicenstein
Common Name:
Point Reyes rein orchid
Family: Orchidaceae
Element Code: PMORC1X011
USDA Plants Symbol: PIELD2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Oct Jul-Oct
Elevation: 15-185 (50-605)
General Habitats: Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal prairie
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 3
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 0
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Marin (MRN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Drakes Bay (3812218)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 3
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
3 100 %
Foot traffic/trampling 2 66%
Other 2 66%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 33%

Notes

Known only from three small occurrences at Pt. Reyes NS. See Lindleyana 8(2):93 (1993) for original description, and The Wild Orchids of California, p. 117-120 (1995) by R. Coleman for species account.
Threats:
Threatened by trampling. 
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 7 February 2025].