''Spiranthes longilabris'', the long lipped ladies' tresses is an

orchid Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering ...

endemic to the southeastern United States.

Description

''Spiranthes longilabris'' plants are 15–50 cm tall, with 3-5 basal leaves either present or absent when flowering. There are 10-30 flowers arranged in a spiral around the stem, with a white to cream white color. The inside of the lip is yellow. Compared to other spiranthes species it has a long lip and the two lateral sepals are spreading to the outside. Bloom time is October to December.

Distribution and habitat

''Spiranthes longilabris'' can be found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia. It grows in the coastal plain with a maximum elevation of 50 m, in dry and moist grassland as well as woodland.

Taxonomy

''Spiranthes longilabris'' was first described by

John Lindley John Lindley FRS (5 February 1799 – 1 November 1865) was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist. Early years Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley w ...

in 1840.

References

longilabris Orchids of the United States {{Orchidoideae-stub