Creamy lady's tresses
Spiranthes porrifolia Lindl.
Spiranthes porrifolia, commonly known as creamy lady's tresses, is an orchid native to the western United States. It grows in moist environments such as mountain meadows, swamps, fens, and riverbanks. This perennial herb reaches up to 60 cm in height and features a tuberous root system. Its leaves are primarily basal, with shapes ranging from linear to lanceolate or nearly oval. The inflorescence is a dense spiral of cream to yellowish flowers, each with a tubular structure and distinct upper and lower lips.
Description
Spiranthes porrifolia is a member of the Orchidaceae family and is found in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The plant typically grows in moist habitats, including wet meadows and along water bodies. The flowers are arranged in a tight spiral at the top of the stem, a characteristic feature of the genus Spiranthes. The species was first described in 1840 by John Lindley.
Other common names
Creamy lady's tresseswestern ladies' tresses
Distribution
California · Idaho · Nevada · Oregon · Washington
Synonyms
Ibidium porrifoliumOrchiastrum porrifoliumSpiranthes romanzoffiana var. porrifoliaGyrostachys porrifolia
