Environmental parameters influencing the distribution of Platanthera blephariglottis and Platanthera clavellata (Orchidaceae) in peatlands on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Botany
• Main Authors: Brown, C. J., Scott, P. J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1997
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b97-108; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b97-108

Populations of two terrestrial species of orchids, Platanthera blephariglottis (Willd.) Lindl. and Platanthera clavellata (Michx.) Luer, were investigated for two field seasons (1991-1992) to determine what environmental factors (substrate constituents, water pH, water level) may influence their distributions within a peatland. Peat constituent values (magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, iron, calcium, pH, moisture, organic matter, ash) associated with individual species were, for the most part, not significantly different among sites or between species, although the values associated with P. clavellata tended to be higher and to have a greater range than those associated with P. blephariglottis. Water level values associated with species were significantly different between species, suggesting mat it is on this basis that these species partition their habitat. Key words: water level, environmental parameters, distribution, peatland, Platanthera blephariglottis, Platanthera clavellata.