Spiranthes praecox (Walter) Watson

Grassleaf Ladies' Tresses; Green Vein Ladies' Tresses

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Green Vein Ladies' Tresses is a native perennial in the Orchid family (Orchidaceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama. Green Vein Ladies' Tresses grows in moist to dry pine or hardwood forests, on moist roadsides, in lawns, in flatwoods and savannas, and near ponds and streams. It is a perennial from thick fleshy roots. The leaves are basal, linear to linear lanceolate in outline, and persist through flowering. The flowers are produced in loosely to tightly spiraled spikes. Plants at flowering are 10-20 inches tall. The flower stalk is pubescent and glandular with stalked glands. The flowers are white or cream colored with prominent, raised, green veins on the lip. The margin of the lip is also crenulate or toothed. The lateral sepals are joined to the lip, making the flower appear tube-like. The fruit is a capsule with many small, dust-like seed.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW (NWPL)

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