About Platanthera dilatata (Pursh) Lindl. ex L.C.Beck
Platanthera dilatata, commonly known as bog candle, is an erect perennial herb that reaches heights between 11 and 130 cm (4.3–51.2 in). Its showy white flowers grow in clustered arrangements along long spikes. Unlike some other species in the Platanthera genus, its petals have smooth entire edges, are not divided or fringed, and range in shape from ovate to linear-lance. The plant’s lateral sepals either spread outward or bend backward. Its leaves range in shape from linear to lanceolate or oblanceolate, and decrease in size moving upward along the stem. Individual leaves measure between 3 and 32 cm (1.2–12.6 in) in length, and 0.3 to 7 cm (0.12–2.76 in) in width. Native American peoples of British Columbia used the species’ sweet-scented flowers for washing.
