''Spiranthes magnicamporum'', commonly called the Great Plains lady's tresses, is a species of

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 flowerin ...

that is native to North America. It is primarily native in the Great Plains, but there are outlying populations in the east in areas of former natural grassland, such as the Black Belt

prairies Prairies are ecosystems considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and a composition of grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the ...

of the Southeast. It is found in both

fen A fen is a type of peat-accumulating wetland fed by mineral-rich Groundwater, ground or surface water. It is one of the main types of wetlands along with marshes, swamps, and bogs. Bogs and fens, both peat-forming ecosystems, are also known as ...

s and wet and dry prairies, often in

calcareous Calcareous () is an adjective meaning "mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate", in other words, containing lime or being chalky. The term is used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines. In zoology ''Calcareous'' is used as an ad ...

soil. It is a perennial that produces a spiral of white flowers in the fall. It is closely related to the '' Spiranthes cernua'' complex, and it was not recognized as a separate species until the 1970s. ''S. magnicamporum'' can be distinguished by its much stronger scent, later flowering time, and lateral sepals that spread over the top of the flower.Chicago Wilderness Magazine
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References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15450554 magnicamporum Flora of Canada Flora of the Northeastern United States Flora of the Southeastern United States Flora of the North-Central United States Flora of the South-Central United States Orchids of the United States Flora without expected TNC conservation status