Spiranthes cernua

Characteristics
Monocots
Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich.
Nodding Ladies Tresses
forb
5
**
Native AGCP (FACW), EMP (FACW) (NWPL) TN[SNR] KY[S5] (State Rank) G5 (Global Rank)
Anther Type
Pollinium
Armaments
No
Base Flower Color
White
Carpel Number/Pistil
1; 3
Duration
Perennial
Fruit Dehiscence
Yes
Fruit Type
Capsule
Fruit Wet/Dry
Dry
General Ecology
Terrestrial
Growth Habit
forb
Inflorescence Position
terminal
Inflorescence Types
spike
Leaf Arrangement
basal; absent; alternate
Leaf Complexity
simple
Leaf Dissection
0
Leaf Duration
deciduous
Leaf Fragrance
No
Leaf Petiole Type
sessile
Leaf Type
broadleaf; sword-like
Leaf Venation
parallel
Leaflet Margins
entire
Leaflet Number
0
Moisture Requirements
Mesic; Hydric
Natural Area Presence
ObedWSR; BISO; LRC; DRU; GILES; GRSM; WOLF; RCSP; LCW; LC; BE
Ovary Position
Inferior
Overall Flower Symmetry
Zygomorphic
Ovules per Carpel
>12
Parent Rock
Calcareous; Chert; Limestone
Perianth Present
Yes
Petal Fusion
No
Petal Number
3
Pistil Complexity
Compound
Pistil Number
1
Placentation Type
Parietal
Sepal Fusion
No
Soil Composition
Mineral; Organic
Soil pH
Alkaline; Circumneutral
Stamen Number
2
Tepal Fusion
No
Tepal Number
6
Unconsolidated Rock
Yes
Unconsolidated Size Class
Clay; Loam; Sand
Woody Herbaceous
Herbaceous
Classification
Orchidales
Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich. - Nodding Ladies Tresses
Species Distribution Map

This species has been reported in the counties highlighted in the interactive distribution map below. Click on a county to display its name.

Click the question mark icon () to view additional information about the ecoregions shown. In the map legend, there are links to toggle the visibility of the ecoregions and/or their labels. In addition, clicking on an ecoregion name will highlight that region on the map.

  • Southeastern Plains
    • Blackland Prarie
  • Blue Ridge Mountains
  • Ridge and Valley
  • Cumberland Plateau
  • Cumberland Mountains
  • Allegheny Plateau
  • Interior Plateau
    • Bluegrass Region
    • Nashville Basin
    • Pennyroyal Karst Plain
    • Western Highland Rim
    • Eastern Highland Rim
  • Interior River Valleys and Hills
    • Shawnee / Caseyville Hills
  • Mississippi Alluvial Plain
  • Mississippi Valley Loess Plains
Synonyms
Specimens and Distribution

Click on an Accession Number to view additional details about the specimen.

Range of years during which specimens were collected:

Plant Photos
Spiranthes cernua - 20
Spiranthes cernua - Milo Pyne
Spiranthes cernua - 20
Spiranthes cernua - Milo Pyne
Spiranthes cernua - 20
Spiranthes cernua - Milo Pyne
Spiranthes cernua - 20
Spiranthes cernua - Milo Pyne
Spiranthes cernua - 21
Spiranthes cernua - Tara Littlefield
Spiranthes cernua - 21
Spiranthes cernua - Tara Littlefield
Spiranthes cernua - 21
Spiranthes cernua - Tara Littlefield
Spiranthes cernua - 21
Spiranthes cernua - Tara Littlefield
Spiranthes cernua - 19
Spiranthes cernua - Theo Witsell
Spiranthes cernua - 19
Spiranthes cernua - Theo Witsell
Spiranthes cernua - 19
Spiranthes cernua - Theo Witsell
Spiranthes cernua - 2
Spiranthes cernua - Joey Shaw
Spiranthes cernua - 2
Spiranthes cernua - Joey Shaw
Spiranthes cernua - 2
Spiranthes cernua - Joey Shaw
Spiranthes cernua - 2
Spiranthes cernua - Joey Shaw
Spiranthes cernua - 2
Spiranthes cernua - Joey Shaw
Spiranthes cernua - 2
Spiranthes cernua - Joey Shaw