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Photographer: Marcie O'Connor
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Family Orchidaceae
Spiranthes magnicamporum Sheviak
Great Plains lady's-tresses
Spiranthes: from the Greek speira, "spiral," and anthos, "flower," referring to the coiled or spiral character of the inflorescence, and hence the common nameladies tresses"
magnicamporum: magnus for "great;" camporum "camp" referring to "plains"; a direct translation of "of the Great Plains" and the black belt of Mississippi and Alabama.
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| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, 6"-12" tall forb; stems with 3-4 scale-like leaves between the main leaves and the inflorescence |
| Flower: | white, 6-parted, almond scented; sepals not connected, widely spreading curling over the top of the flower resembling "cow's horns;" lip smooth, to 1/2" long, with a pale yellow center; inflorescence a 3/4"- 2 1/3" dense, spike-like, tight spiral (raceme) of 3-4 stalks; blooms Sept.-Oct. |
| Leaf: | 2 or 3 basal leaves withering when blooming, hairy leaf axils |
| Habitat: | dry to wet; woods, fens pastures, prairies; in less acidic soil |
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