Sotoa confusa (Garay) Salazar
Confusing Ladies' Tresses
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Deiregyne confusa, Schiedeella confusa, Spiranthes confusa
Sotoa confusa, the Confusing Ladies' Tresses, is widespread in eastern Mexico but had not been seen in Texas for 75 years until it was rediscovered in the Chisos Mountains. This orchid has a leafless spike that bears up to 15 pink flowers with green stripes. The dorsal sepal and two petals form a hood over the green-veined pink lip. The sepals of S. confusa have swollen hairs which distinguish this orchid from similar species. This orchid grows in a variety of habitats in semi-arid regions, including scrub thickets, seasonally dry forests and wastelands.
Sotoa confusa is considered globally vulnerable although its conservation status has not been determined in Texas.
Pollination
This orchid is pollinated by Bombus species. A large queen has been documented visiting the flowers in search of nectar. The queen grabbed the lateral sepals and pushed its head down into the flower and viscidia and pollinaria were extracted in the process.
Ecosystem Type
Grassland, shrublands or thickets
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- basal
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is simple
- Main color of labellum:
-
- pink to red
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a spike
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is simple
- Labellum length:
- 13–20 mm
- Sepal length:
- 12–19 mm
- Plant height:
- 25–50 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Vulnerable |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |