Summary

Description

The Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Platanthera praeclara is classified as a Threatened plant species under both federal and state law in Iowa. One of the approximately 25 populations for this species occurs in the Bluejoint Meadow Wildlife Area in Polk County, Iowa. The objective of this study was to characterize the plant community in which the Platanthera praeclara population occurs. This could assist with efforts to identify other areas of suitable habitat in the vicinity of Bluejoint Meadow Wildlife Area. Although over 60 plant species were detected in 100 quadrats, Platanthera praeclara was not one of the detected species. It was observed to be present within a few meters of some of the quadrats immediately prior to the sampling effort, but was not of sufficient frequency to be captured within even a single quadrat.