"[1] Platanthera leucophaea is found in moist to wet tallgrass prairie, sedge meadows, fens, and old fields.

Historically, the eastern prairie fringed orchid is found primarily in the Great Lakes Region with isolated populations in Maine, Virginia, Iowa, and Missouri.

The major factor in the decline of the eastern prairie fringed orchid has been a loss of habitat due to grazing, fire suppression, and agricultural conversion.

It is distinguished from Platanthera praeclara, the western prairie fringed orchid, by its smaller flowers (less than one inch (2.5 cm) long), more oval petals, and a shorter nectar spur.

Certain night-flying insects that are attracted to the orchid's fragrance are able to obtain its nectar with their long probosces.