Taxon Report

Platanthera yosemitensis A. Colwell, C. Sheviak, and P. Moore

Yosemite bog orchid

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Platanthera yosemitensis, commonly known as Yosemite bog orchid, is a perennial herb in the Orchidaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Meadows and seeps, growing at elevations from 2100 to 2285 meters. Platanthera yosemitensis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Platanthera yosemitensis A. Colwell, C. Sheviak, and P. Moore
Common Name:	Yosemite bog orchid
Family:	Orchidaceae
Element Code:	PMORC1Y1B0
USDA Plants Symbol:	PLYO2
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Aug	Jul-Aug
Elevation:	2100-2285 (6890-7495)
General Habitats:	Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat:	Granitic, Mesic
Microhabitat Details:	montane

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G2
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	IUCN_EN; SB_CalBG/RSABG; USFS_S
CRPR Changes:	added to 1B.2 on 2007-09-10

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	7
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	2
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	5

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Fresno (FRE), Mariposa (MPA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
El Capitan (3711966), Patterson Mtn. (3611981)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	3
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	57 %
Grazing	2	28%
Surface water diversion	1	14%
Foot traffic/trampling	1	14%

Notes



Threatened by foot traffic and vehicles. Possibly threatened by meadow succession, recreational activities, and horticultural collecting. Not in TJM (1993). See Madroño 54(1): 86 (2007) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2007-09-10

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 30 October 2025].