Western Prairie Fringed Orchid

The western prairie fringed orchid is the state’s only federally listed plant under the Endangered Species Act. It was listed as endangered in 1984, changed to threatened in 1989, and added to the IUCN Red List in 2008.

This unique orchid was first documented by Lewis and Clark in present day Wyoming and was once found across all of the central Great Plains. Unfortunately, habitat loss and degradation have severely impacted this species’ habitat and, thus, its ability to thrive. It has since been eradicated from Wyoming, South Dakota, and Oklahoma.

North Dakota is lucky to host one of the largest remaining populations of this rare plant in Ransom and Richland counties. The flowers of the fringed prairie orchid bloom in July, so make sure you get out this month, explore your public lands, and look for this rare and beautiful orchid!