Canadian Native Orchids - Spiranthes cernua

Spiranthes cernua

(Linnaeus) L.C.M. Richard
Nodding Ladies' Tresses

Location Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario. Ranges from Nova Scotia west to South Dakota, south to Florida and Texas.

Specific Habitat
In most open, moist area with neutral or slightly acidic soils. It prefers moist, sandy marly soils, and avoids clay.
Prominent along lake shores, damp meadows, pastures, roadside ditches, open marly fens, recent excavations, and even lawns.

Flowering Season Late August and September, or until a heavy frost.

Description
Height up to 25 cm.
Leaves 3 - 6 basal, linear Đlanceolate, relatively soft.
Spike slender to stout, up to 60 flowers.
Flowers white with yellowish center, slightly nodding.
Sepals white, lip white, with greenish Đ yellow center.
Sweetly fragrant.

Comments
Latest orchid to flower. Found on Bruce Peninsula. One of the most abundant orchids in the Ottawa District.

References
The Canadian Field-Naturalist
The Orchids of Bruce & Grey

Habitat Plant Flower

Location	Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario. Ranges from Nova Scotia west to South Dakota, south to Florida and Texas.
Specific Habitat	In most open, moist area with neutral or slightly acidic soils. It prefers moist, sandy marly soils, and avoids clay. Prominent along lake shores, damp meadows, pastures, roadside ditches, open marly fens, recent excavations, and even lawns.
Flowering Season	Late August and September, or until a heavy frost.
Description	Height up to 25 cm. Leaves 3 - 6 basal, linear Đlanceolate, relatively soft. Spike slender to stout, up to 60 flowers. Flowers white with yellowish center, slightly nodding. Sepals white, lip white, with greenish Đ yellow center. Sweetly fragrant.
Comments	Latest orchid to flower. Found on Bruce Peninsula. One of the most abundant orchids in the Ottawa District.
References	The Canadian Field-Naturalist The Orchids of Bruce & Grey