NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Spiranthes longilabris

Giant Spiral Orchid, Long-lipped Ladies'-tresses, Ladies' Tresses

Scientific Name:	Spiranthes longilabris
Genus:	Spiranthes
Species Epithet:	longilabris
Common Name:	Giant Spiral Orchid, Long-lipped Ladies'-tresses, Ladies' Tresses
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	1-3 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	White
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist, Wet
Bloom Time:	October, November, December
Growing Area:	Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Wet pine savannas. Rare in NC Coastal Plain. A southeastern Coastal Plan endemic
Leaf Arrangement:	Basal
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	No known wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Suitable for home landscapes
State Rank:	S1: Critically imperiled ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G3 - Vulnerable ^(*Key)
State Status:	E: Endangered ^(*Key)
Federal Status:	T - Threatened ^(*Key)
Notes:	North American Orchid Center states "Spiranthes longilabris is considered vulnerable and may be critically imperiled in some parts of its range where drainage of sites would eliminate this orchid. Competition from grasses, sedges and woody vegetation which develop in the absence of fire may also threaten this species."
Blooms in Hand © David R. McAdoo
Closeup of Blooms "Looks like the flying nun's hat" © David R. McAdoo
Close up David McAdoo
Blooms on one side Tom Harville
Blooms with a half twist Tom Harville
A one-sided inflorescence seen from the back © John Henderson, Nov 08,2012, Croatan National Forest
Leafless stem © John Henderson, Nov 08,2012, Croatan National Forest
Giant Spiral Orchid in its habitat This Southeastern Coastal Plain endemic grows in wet pine savannas from southeast NC, south to southern Florida and west to eastern Texas. © John Henderson, Nov 08,2012, Croatan National Forest
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Flora of North America North American Orchid Conservation Center