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Spiranthes cernua (Linnaeus) L.C. Richard. Common name: Nodding Ladies'-tresses. Phenology: Jul-Nov; Aug-Nov. Habitat: Bogs, swamps, ditches, usually in acidic, sphagnous situations. Distribution: NS west to s. OH, MO, and OK, south to Panhandle FL and c. TX.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy : = AqW, K4, Hough & Young (2021), Pace & Cameron (2017); < Gyrostachys cernua (L.) Kuntze; < Ibidium cernuum (L.) House – S, S13; < Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich. – G, Il, K1, K3, Mo1, NcTx, NY, Pa, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV; >< Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich. – FNA26; < Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich. var. cernua – C, F, GW1, RAB, Luer (1975); >< Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich. var. cernua – ETx1, Tx, Correll (1950); > Spiranthes parksii Correll – ETx1, FNA26, Tx, Correll (1950), Hough & Young (2021), Luer (1972)

Links to other floras: >< Spiranthes cernua - FNA26; > Spiranthes parksii - FNA26

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Great Plains: FACW (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Midwest: FACW (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACW (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily : 7

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image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Michael Hough | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Michael Hough | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward, Wakulla Co., FL | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward, Wakulla Co., FL | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Michael Hough | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect perennial of bogs, swamps and ditches; usually in acidic, sphagnous situations.

Stems: Stem somewhat fleshy, unbranched, smooth below and minutely downy above.

Leaves: Leaves (3-6) basal and erect (may be a few on lower stem but reduced to bracts on upper stem), linear to narrowly lance-shaped, 2-10 in. long, smooth; may or may not persist through flower bloom.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers 10-50 in 2-4 overlapping, dense spirals on a terminal spike covered with white, gland-tipped hairs; waxy-white to cream-white (sometimes tinged pale green or yellow); about 1/3 in. long; bilaterally symmetric; tubular, with a total of 5 petals and petal-like sepals, including an upper downward-curving hood (its 3-lobed tip curled up) and a lower lip with crinkled edge.

Fruits: Fruit an ellipsoid capsule.

Comments: Flowers often vanilla-scented.

Height: 5-16 in.

plant sale text: Nodding ladies'-tresses makes a good companion for carnivorous plants and bog gardens. It is a lovely southeastern native orchid. Its vanilla-scented waxy white flowers are arrayed in a spiral along its upright stems, rising from its basal rosette. Indeed, its genus name Spiranthes comes from the Greek for "spiraling flower". Its flowers are cernuous, meaning that they arch down slightly. This species grows in coastal wet areas, often alongside bodies of water. It is easily grown, given lots of sun and soil that remains constantly moist.

bloom table text:

description: Erect perennial of bogs, swamps and ditches; usually in acidic, sphagnous situations.

stems: Stem somewhat fleshy, unbranched, smooth below and minutely downy above.

leaves: Leaves (3-6) basal and erect (may be a few on lower stem but reduced to bracts on upper stem), linear to narrowly lance-shaped, 2-10 in. long, smooth; may or may not persist through flower bloom.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers 10-50 in 2-4 overlapping, dense spirals on a terminal spike covered with white, gland-tipped hairs; waxy-white to cream-white (sometimes tinged pale green or yellow); about 1/3 in. long; bilaterally symmetric; tubular, with a total of 5 petals and petal-like sepals, including an upper downward-curving hood (its 3-lobed tip curled up) and a lower lip with crinkled edge.

fruits: Fruit an ellipsoid capsule.

comments: Flowers often vanilla-scented.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern & central N. America