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
Show All Characteristics

Native to North America

Yes

North American Conservation Status & Distribution

Conservation Status

Select a location to view conservation status:

Conservation and Wetland Status
Global Rank Apparently Secure
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data