Little Ladies Tresses - Spiranthes tuberosa

[Fotografer]

This little dainty is seldom seen, although it is a wide-ranging orchid. This is due, probably, to the fact that it bears tiny flowers (only 3-4mm tall) on a narrow spike and grows in semi-dry grassy areas where it blends in quite well with the grass flower stalks. It also tends to bloom later than most of the spring orchids (such as <i>Spiranthes vernalis, S. praecox, Calopogon tuberosus, Calo. pallidus, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Cleistes bifaria, Cleistes divaricata,</i> etc.) and in a less moist environment, so the typical spring orchid hunter won't be looking in the right place at the right time for it. It can be easily distinguished from <i>Spiranthes vernalis</i> by the flower size (roughly half that of <i>S. vernalis</i>), the later blooming time, and the fact that the stalk is leafless by the time it flowers, the rosette of wide, tear-drop shaped, highly frost-resistant leaves long withered by anthesis. Instead of a typical bundle of fleshy roots as seen with many other <i>Spiranthes</i> species, this species bears a single tuber-like root, hence the specific epithet.</p>
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<p>I happened to discover this plant growing in my parents' yard on a brief visit to the Tallahassee, Florida area.</p>
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<p><img src="http://www.flnativeorchids.com/images/orchids/spiranthes_tuberosa/spiranthes_tuberosa_closeup.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p>
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<p>1/100s, f9, ISO 100, Sigma 105mm lens, Canon Digital Rebel XTi, natural, semi-diffuse afternoon light.</p>
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<p>---Prem</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flnativeorchids.com" target="_blank">Florida's Native and Naturalized Orchids</a></p>
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