Spiranthes lucida

Spiranthes lucida, the shining ladies'-tresses, is a species of orchid native to northeastern North America.

Spiranthes lucida

Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Cranichideae
Subtribe: Spiranthinae
Genus: Spiranthes
Species:
S. lucida
Binomial name
Spiranthes lucida
(H. H. Eaton) Ames
Synonyms
  • Neottia lucida H. H. Eaton
  • Ibidium plantagineum (Rafinesque) House
  • Spiranthes plantaginea Rafinesque

Description

Spiranthes lucida is a perennial, herbaceous plant up to 37 cm tall. The 3-4 leaves are basal, and persist after flowering time, unlike many other Spiranthes species. This is one of the earliest flowering species of ladies'-tresses, with flowers produced between May and August. The flowers are arranged spirally on a single spike. The flowers are white, with a prominent brilliant yellow lip.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Spiranthes lucida occurs from Nova Scotia to northeastern Wisconsin, south to Virginia, Arkansas, and Missouri.[2] It occurs in saturated, calcareous, sandy or gravelly soils found in habitats such as riverbanks, fens, seeps, and gravel pits.[2][3]

Ecology

Bees in the family Halictidae have been observed visiting the flowers.[3] The flower morphology is better adapted for short-tongued bees like these than for longer-tongued bees such as bumblebees, unlike most other Spiranthes species.[4]

  • plant form
  • botanical illustration
  • botanical illustration
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References
  1. "Spiranthes lucida". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  2. Sheviak, Charles J. & Brown, Paul Martin (2002). "Spiranthes lucida". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). 26. New York and Oxford. Retrieved 11 February 2020 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  3. Hapeman, Jeffrey R. "Spiranthes lucida". Orchids of Wisconsin. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  4. "Spiranthes lucida". Go Botany. New England Wildflower Society. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
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