Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Hooded Ladies'-tresses
Spiranthes romanzoffiana
Orchid family (Orchidaceae)

Hooded Ladies'-Tresses Orchids are uncommon and maybe that makes them even more lovely. Numerous waxy white flowers spiral around a central , often to a flower height of four inches. Ladies Tresses are found in boggy areas growing to about 6-12 inches tall and they are often hidden among grasses and . are narrow, often rolled inward, and vertical. Main stems can sometimes recline at first and then grow erect.

Louis Richard named this in the early 1800s and Ludolf Chamisso named this species in 1828. Greek gives us "speira," a "coil" and "anthes," a "flower." The specific epithet is for Count Romanzoff, early 19th century Russian financier of exploratory voyages.


©2010 Barry Breckling

Description

Erect, caulescent plants from a cluster of tuberous roots. , mostly but some . Stems from 6-18" tall, mostly around 8" tall. or sparingly . Leaves . of flowers dense, lip , creamy white, 1/3 to over 1/2" long. Petals triangular. Lip , 1/3 to 1/2" long. a .

Field Marks

Spiraling tight cluster of white flowers on a very slender plant.

© Al Schneider

cauline -- Leaves that are on the stem. Not basal.

recurved -- Curved backward.

sedge -- Grasslike plants. Stems have triangular cross-sections and sharp edges.

pubescent -- downy; covered with short, soft, erect hairs.

A spike is an unbranched, indeterminate inflorescence in which the flowers are without stalks.

basal -- at the base, situated or attached at the base.

capsule -- a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. In most cases the capsule splits apart to release seeds.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

stalk -- The supporting structure of an organ. Examples of stalks are stem, peduncle, petiole, ...

lanceolate -- Lance-shaped. Long, wider in the middle.

basal leaves -- a leaf that grows lowest on the stem of a plant.

genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant number of similar characteristics.

glabrous -- smooth, glossy, having no bristles or hair-like structures. Bald.

leaves alternate along the main stem and are attached singly.

oblong -- Having an elongated form with somewhat parallel sides. Rectangular.