Spiranthes ovalis var. erostellata – A Thousand Acres of Silphiums

Spiranthes ovalis – Another Look

macro, Missouri's Orchids, native plants

*Spiranthes ovalis erostella*. This variety of *S. ovalis* is primarily self-pollinated, hence the weak and withered flowers.

Pete and I had both seen Spiranthes ovalis erostella prior to this outing in late September in Pope County, IL, but we both agreed that this was the finest specimen we had seen of what is usually a small and insignificant plant with a puny inflorescence.

*Spiranthes ovalis* (lesser ladies’ tresses orchid) is typically found in open, woody habitat and particularly likes areas where disturbance has limited competition and opened access to light.

Missouri Orchids – Spiranthes ovalis var. erostellata (oval ladies’-tresses)

macro, Missouri's Orchids, native plants

Spiranthes ovalis var. erostellata can be very difficult to find. Usually growing in groups of ones and twos, it is a small plant that prefers shadier locations that get dappled sunlight. I want to thank John Oliver for all his assistance getting me on this and a number of other Spiranthes species this year.

This species of ladies’-tresses is known for its graceful and diminutive flowers. Casey and I found only a couple of plants, each with flowers rather less developed than hoped for. I’m not sure if we were a day or two early, or if this might be all to expect from this population. We found these plants alongside trails at Babler State Park in mid-September.

*Spiranthes ovalis* var. *erostellata* (oval ladies ‘-tresses) The flowering stem can be seen here at the same time as its basal leaf.

-OZB