Nodding Ladiestresses (Spiranthes cernua)

SEPTEMBER-October

Nodding Ladiestresses (Spiranthes cernua (L) Richard) (ORCHID FAMILY)

Nodding Ladiestresses is a herbaceous perennial with fleshy tuberous roots 1-3 in. long. The leaves are basal and linear-lanceolate, 6-12 in long, but are usually gone at flowering time. The infloerecense is a stout spike with the flowers spiraling on the stem. The flowers are white in color and are about 1 in. in length. There is often a lilac-like odor from the plant. The short nature of this plant makes it inconspicuous in the taller grasses in the prairie.