Spiranthes ovalis

Spiranthes ovalis, commonly called the October lady's tresses,[1] is a species of orchid that is native to eastern North America.

Spiranthes ovalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Cranichideae
Subtribe: Spiranthinae
Genus: Spiranthes
Species:
S. ovalis
Binomial name
Spiranthes ovalis

Its range is widely distributed, being found from Texas to Florida, north to the Great Lakes.[2] However, it is uncommon throughout most of its range,[3] which has resulted in a patchy known distribution. Its natural habitat is in wet to mesic forests and woodlands.[3][4]

It produces delicate white flowers in the fall.[5] It can be distinguished from other Spiranthes in eastern North America by its small, tightly spiraled flowers, and the presence of basal leaves at flowering time.[3][4]

Taxonomy

Two varieties of Spiranthes ovalis are recognized.[6] They are:

  • S. ovalis var. erostellata - Flowers closed, self-pollinating; widespread across the eastern North America
  • S. ovalis var. ovalis - Flowers open, cross-pollinating; restricted to the Southeastern Coastal Plain

References
  1. "Spiranthes ovalis". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  2. "Spiranthes ovalis". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  3. Spiranthes ovalis North American Orchid Conservation Center
  4. Alan Weakley (2015). "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States".
  5. MissouriPlants
  6. Flora of North America, Spiranthes ovalis
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