SafePlants

Autumn Lady's-Tresses: A Delicate Orchid

Spiranthes spiralis, commonly known as autumn lady's-tresses, is an enchanting orchid that graces Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Its slender form and spiraling flowers make it a captivating sight.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant forms a tight, small mat.
• It has a slender stem.

Considerations for Children

• This plant has small white flowers twisting up the stem.
• The plant has a slender stem.
• It forms a tight, small mat.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevall.
• Common Names: Autumn lady's-tresses, Ladies tresses, ladies'-tresses, lady's tresses.
• Spiranthes is a genus of orchids belonging to the subfamily Orchidoideae within the Orchidaceae family.

Distribution and Habitat

• Spiranthes spiralis is found in Europe, adjacent North Africa, and Asia.
• It has been observed in locations like Mid Sussex and the New Forest.
• The plant seems to thrive in most types of soil.

Morphological Characteristics

• Spiranthes spiralis is a slender orchid.
• It features tiny white and green flowers arranged in a single spiral up the stem.
• Each plant often forms a tight, small mat with a little circle of leaves at the bottom.
• Flowers spiral up the stem.

Other Spiranthes Species

• Spiranthes romanzoffiana, known as Irish lady's-tresses, is found across North America and is a UK Priority Species, with statutory protection within the Western Isles.
• Spiranthes cernua, or nodding ladies' tresses/autumn tresses, blooms in autumn in North America.
• Spiranthes diluvialis (Ute ladies'-tresses) is a hybrid between S. romanzoffiana and S. magnicamporum.
• Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis, also known as Nodding Ladies' Tresses, grows in bog-like conditions.

Quirky Facts

• The Autumn Lady's-tresses is considered by some to be the last hurrah of summer, flowering at the end of the season.
• The spirals of small white flowers are said to resemble the braided hair of a beautiful maiden.