Spiranthes brevilabris Lindl.
Short Lipped Ladies' Tresses
Facts About
Accepted Synonym: Gyrostachys brevilabris
Spiranthes brevilabris, commonly known as Short Lipped Ladies' Tresses or Texas Lady’s Tresses, was historically known from the southeastern coastal plain from Florida west to Texas. This species produces 3-6 leaves in a basal rosette that wither at time of flowering. The inflorescence, up to 40 cm tall and densely pubescent, has 10-35 ivory yellow flowers arranged in a single rank spiral. This orchid blooms in late February-April in sandy soils along grassy roadsides, moist prairies, and wetland pine savannahs.
Spiranthes brevilabris is considered critically imperiled and is threatened or extirpated throughout most of its historical range. This orchid has dramatically declined primarily due to habitat conversion.
Pollination
Pollinator information for this orchid has not been reported.
Ecosystem Type
Disturbed habitats, grassland
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- basal
- Number of leaves on stem:
- absent
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is simple
- Main color of labellum:
- yellow
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a spike
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is simple
- Labellum length:
- 5 mm
- Sepal length:
- Up to 5 mm
- Plant height:
- 20–40 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Critically Imperiled |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |