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
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 Critically Imperiled
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data