Spiranthes vernalis Engelm. & A. Gray

Spring Ladies' Tresses

© DETenaglia

Family - Orchidaceae

Stems - No info yet.

© DETenaglia

	Stem in the inflorescence.
© DETenaglia

Leaves - No info yet.

Inflorescence - No info yet.

Flowers - No info yet.

© DETenaglia

© DETenaglia

Flowering - May - September.

Habitat - Mesic and dry upland prairies, roadsides through prairies.

Origin - Native to U.S. and Central America.

Other info. - This attractive species can be found in the southern half of Missouri and mostly in counties to the west. The plant can be identified by its tall stems and single spiral of fairly large flowers. The plant usually has basal leaves present at the time of flowering. The lower portions of the stem are glabrous but the stem in the inflorescence is densely short hairy. The hairs are non-glandular. This is the tallest and earliest flowering species of Spiranthesin Missouri.

Photographs taken off Hwy 80 near Selma, AL., 6-4-05.