Spiranthes ochroleuca
(Rydberg) Rydberg
Yellow Nodding Ladies' Tresses
Location |
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario.
Distribution in a narrow band eastwards from the Great Lakes through northeastern
Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and the New England states. |
Specific Habitat |
Except for one location in southern Frontenac County, this orchid appears
confined to the Carolinian Zone of southern Ontario. It occurs on acid
sandy soils in dry, open habitat. It grows typically on higher ground,
in more shade than S. cernua.
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Flowering Season |
September to mid-October.
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Description |
Height to 50 cm. Plant pubescent above, glabrous below.
Leaves 3 - 6, green, basal, and cauline, extending up the stem as leafy
bracts.
Inflorescence of up to 60 pale yellowish flowers, in a single coil appearing
in several ranks. Frequently the twist is so loose that a single spiralling
rank can easily be seen. The tip of the spike is narrow and pointed as
compared to the blunt cylindrical spike of S. cernua.
Flowers are white or creamy with pale yellow on the lip.
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Comments |
This orchid is thought to be native to Ontario, although there is no definite
record of it prior to 1968. It seems to be restricted to the northeastern
part of the range of S. cernua.
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References |
Orchids of Ontario
The Native Orchids of the United States and Canada excluding Florida
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© Royal Botanical Gardens, Dr. Donald Gunn Image Collection.