Platanthera psycodes, commonly known as Lesser Purple Fringed Orchid, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to moist meadows, wetlands, and forested wetlands in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It is typically found in calcareous fens and marshes. The plant typically grows at elevations from 1,500 to 6,500 feet and reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet. It features showy, pink to purple flowers with a distinctly fringed lip, which bloom from late July to early August. The flowers are arranged in a dense spike and are highly attractive to pollinators such as butterflies and moths.

The Lesser Purple Fringed Orchid is valued for its ornamental flowers and is sometimes cultivated in native plant gardens and restoration projects. It requires consistently moist soil, partial to full sunlight, and cool temperatures to thrive. While it can be a beautiful addition to a garden, it is not commonly found in the horticultural trade due to its specific growing requirements and conservation status. Gardeners interested in this species should source plants responsibly to avoid contributing to its decline in the wild. It is considered imperiled in several states, and care should be taken to ensure its preservation.CC BY-SA 4.0