Spiranthes ovalis
| Spiranthes ovalis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Cranichideae |
| Genus: | Spiranthes |
| Species: | S. ovalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Spiranthes ovalis | |
Spiranthes ovalis, commonly called the October lady's tresses,[1] is a species of orchid that is native to eastern North America.
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[edit]
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[edit]
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Spiranthes ovalis". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ "Spiranthes ovalis". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
- ^ a b c Spiranthes ovalis North American Orchid Conservation Center
- ^ a b Alan Weakley (2015). "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States".
- ^ MissouriPlants
- ^ Flora of North America, Spiranthes ovalis
External links[edit]
Media related to Spiranthes ovalis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Spiranthes ovalis at Wikispecies
