Stem 3-10 dm; lower 2-4 lvs lanceolate, 10-20 cm; upper lvs abruptly reduced, lance-linear; infl 6-18 נ4-6 cm, rather loose; fls reddish-purple; sep broadly oval or obovate, 6-10 mm; lateral pet ca equaling the sep, obovate-spatulate above a narrow base, erose; lip 13-22 mm, deeply tripartite, the terminal lobe deeply notched, each lobe broadly cuneate- flabellate, with conspicuous radiating veins, erose at the margin, the teeth only 0.5-1 mm deep; spur 22-31 mm. Open, swampy or vernally wet places, often in acid soil; N.J. to O. and Mo., s. to S.C., Miss., and Ark. July, Aug. (Blephariglottis p.; Platanthera p.)
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.
This species is not infrequent in our southern counties in low, flat woods, usually associated with beech and sweet gum and pin oak. It has also been reported from Monroe County. Usually rather frequent where found.