Spiranthes triloba (Small) K. Schumann. Panther Ladies'-tresses. Phen: Late Oct-early Feb (-May). Hab: Pine flatwoods and calcareous Florida prairies. Dist: FL Panhandle south to s. FL, primarily along the west coast of the peninsula. Restricted to FL.

ID notes:Spiranthes triloba is distinct from S. odorata in having slender stoloniferous roots, small linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate leaves, small fragrant flowers 5-8 mm long, a densely papillate lip, and lateral sepals held slightly angled above the flower. It also tends to occur in frequently burned calcareous prairies and open flatwoods compared to the flooded forests and cypress domes of S. odorata (Pace and Cameron 2016).

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: The species has been much confused with (and usually casually synonymized under) S. odorata. See Pace & Cameron (2016) for a detailed account of the species and its history.

Synonymy: = K4, Pace & Cameron (2016); = Ibidium trilobum Small; < Ibidium cernuum (L.) House – S, S13; < Spiranthes odorata (Nutt.) Lindl. – FNA26

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Great Plains: OBL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Northcentral & Northeast: OBL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily: 9