Cyclopogon cranichoides (Griseb.) Schltr.
Speckled Ladies' Tresses
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Beadlea storeri, Spiranthes cranichoides
Cyclopogon cranichoides, commonly known as Speckled Ladies' Tresses, is distributed in the West Indies, Bahamas, Central America, South America and Florida. This plant has 4-6 leaves that grow in a basal rosette and are ovate in shape, green in color, and suffused with purple. The leaves wither at or just after flowering. This orchid produces 10-30 flowers with sepals and petals that are greenish brown and the lip is white suffused with pink. The flowering period is late February to late April. The habitats for this plant are damp, shady forests and moist oak woodlands. In wet areas, plants can reach 30-40 cm in height, but in drier live oak forests they only grow to 5 cm.
Cyclopogon cranichoides is apparently secure because of its wide distribution although it is considered rare in Jamaica and its status in Florida has not been determined.
Ecosystem Type
Forests, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- basal
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
-
- pink to red
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a spike
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- 5–7 mm
- Sepal length:
- 4–7 mm
- Plant height:
- Up to 40 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |