Piperia cooperi
| Piperia cooperi | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Piperia |
| Species: | P. cooperi |
| Binomial name | |
| Piperia cooperi (S.Watson) Rydb. | |
Piperia cooperi is an uncommon species of orchid known by the common names Cooper's rein orchid and chaparral rein orchid. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it can be found in chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitat. This orchid grows erect to about 90 centimeters in maximum height from a bulbous caudex. The basal leaves are up to 20 centimeters long by 3 wide. Leaves higher on the stem are much reduced. The upper part of the stem is a spikelike inflorescence of many small green flowers which are honey-scented in the evenings.