Spiranthes magnicamporum (Great Plains Ladies'-tresses)
| Also known as: | Late-flowering Ladies-tresses |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Spiranthes |
| Family: | Orchidaceae (Orchid) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; moist open prairie |
| Bloom season: | August - September |
| Plant height: | 4 to 16 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FAC MW: FAC NCNE: FACU |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/great-plains-ladies-tresses_0916_130228.jpg)
Flowers are closely intertwined in 3 rows, spiraling up a 1 to 4 inch spike with up to 48 blossoms, typically 3 to 4 flowers in 1 cycle of the spiral. The petals and sepals are white except for a tinge of yellow on the lower lip, up to ½ inch long, opening out creating a winged trumpet like appearance. The end of the lower lip unfurls down like a ruffled tongue while the 2 narrow lateral sepals flare out and up. often above the flower. The side and upper petals overlap creating a narrow lance-like hood curled up at the tips. The green bracts are oval, curling around the ovary before tapering to a sharp tip above the flower.
Leaves and stems:
![[photo of stem leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/great-plains-ladies-tresses_0904_124919.jpg)
Basal leaves are long and slender, up to 5½ inches long, ½ inch wide and wilt away around 2 weeks before the flowers appear. The stem is stiffly erect with 4 to 6 sheath-like bracts that wrap the stem, the tips over lapping the base of the bract above.
Notes:
Until 1973, Great Plains Ladies'-tresses was considered to be the same species as Nodding Ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes cernua). Habitat is one distinguishing characteristc, S. magnicamporum preferring open prairie and higher pH soils and is found in both low, moist areas and higher, gravelly sites. In appearance the differences are more subtle; unlike S. cernua, the lateral sepals are more flaring, often above the flower. The marked absence of lower leaves at flowering time is also key to an ID.
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More photos
Great Plains Ladie's-tresses plants
Great Plains Ladie's-tresses habitat
more plantsPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Whitewater WMA, Winona County, and in McLeod County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Douglas, McLeod and Winona counties.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2016-02-16 21:25:08
I stumbled across a number of these tiny beautiful orchids in the road ditch 2 falls ago and saw even more this last fall. Their vanilla like fragrance is wonderful! I'm surprised there is no mention of their scent in your description. I also found them at Roscoe TNC/DNR SNA north of Paynesville last fall, along the road ditch and scattered in the prairie.
on: 2016-09-06 16:41:56
These are currently (09/06/16) in bloom on the dry bluff prairie at the Garvin Heights natural (undeveloped) overlook, along with Stiff Goldenrod, Blazing Star, and various asters.
on: 2017-09-15 16:21:56
Great Plains Ladies' Tresses blooming currently in the quarry at Quarry Hill Park on the east edge of Rochester. September 15, 2017.
on: 2017-12-29 13:18:45
Small population in edge fen on my property. Plants are expanding into adjacent prairie restoration.
on: 2019-09-10 09:36:55
We have had several of these in our native prairie remnant for the past two years due to the wetter weather. Saw about two dozen plants last evening despite the cooler weather and rain.
on: 2022-06-18 11:05:56
I found several of these plants high on a flat area of a goat prairie overlooking the Mississippi. On a rock platform about 10' above them, there is a colony of Pasqueflowers. So the soil is fairly dry and prairie-ish, but not arid. And we normally get plenty of rainfall in our area.
on: 2022-09-18 09:25:11
Found in Magnesun Bluff Park in Rushford. Southwest facing slope. Flowering on September 17th, 2022.
on: 2022-09-23 12:12:35
Another find in Winona Co, MN (Wiscoy township) on SW facing bluff prairie. A few dozen were scattered about.