It is endemic to California, where it is known from the coastal plains, hills, and mountains, and the Sierra Nevada foothills.

It can be found in varied habitat, including scrub, woodland, and forest.

This orchid grows erect to about 70 centimeters in maximum height from a bulbous caudex.

The upper part of the stem is a spikelike inflorescence of many yellow-green flowers which are fragrant in the evenings.

Media related to Platanthera michaelii at Wikimedia Commons