Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses

LADY'S TRESSES

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Spiranthes cernua (L. ) Rich.

Konza Prairie, Riley County, Kansas

Perennial

Height: 3-24 inches

Family: Orchidaceae - Orchid Family

Flowering Period: August, September,October

Also Called:

Nodding ladies'-tresses.

Stems:

Erect, usually solitary, unbranched, green, glabrous below, short-hairy above.

Leaves:

Mostly basal, simple, sessile, linear to lanceolate, 2 to 12 inches long, less than 1 inch wide, pale green; margins entire; tips pointed; upper leaves reduced to 2-6 alternate, sheathing bracts with tapering-pointed tips.

Inflorescences:

Spikes, 2 to 5 inches long, with up to 60 flowers in 2-3 tightly twisting spirals; floral bracts ovate, to 1 inch long, green; tips tapered to sharp points.

Flowers:

Less than 1/2 inch long, blooming from bottom to top; sepals 3, petal-like, white; petals 3, white; lower petal lip-like, somewhat constricted near middle; center yellowish green; tip rounded, crisped; stamen 1, united with pistil.

Fruits:

Capsules, erect, egg-shaped, about 1/4 inch long; seeds numerous, tiny, brown.

Habitat:

Wet meadows, dry or wet, upland prairies, thickets, and rocky limestone glades.

Distribution:

East 2/3 of Kansas.

Comments:

The inflorescence has the appearance of braided hair, which is the source of its common name. The flowers are fragrant, with a lilac or vanilla-like odor.

Lady's tresses