Nodding Lady’s Tresses
(Spiranthes cernua)
Nodding Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes cernua)
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Ian Manning
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Ian Manning
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Ian Manning | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Ian Manning | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-09-05T13:04:06-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Spiranthes cernua, commonly known as Nodding Lady’s Tresses, is a deciduous perennial herb native to moist meadows, wetlands, fens, and forest clearings across the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada. It typically grows to a height of 2 feet (0.6 meters) and a width of 0.5 feet (0.15 meters). This orchid is characterized by its spiraling column of delicate, nodding white flowers that bloom in late summer to fall, which are highly attractive to pollinators. The flowers are fragrant and arranged in a distinctive spiral fashion on the stem, adding to its ornamental value.
Nodding Lady’s Tresses is valued for its unique flowering habit and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it a suitable choice for rain gardens, water features, and naturalized areas. It is also used in restoration projects to enhance biodiversity in wetland habitats. While it prefers moist, rich soils, it is relatively adaptable and can tolerate a range of soil conditions provided they are not too dry. It is important to maintain consistent moisture levels for optimal growth. This species is generally low-maintenance but can be susceptible to root rot if drainage is poor.CC BY-SA 4.0
Nodding Lady’s Tresses is valued for its unique flowering habit and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it a suitable choice for rain gardens, water features, and naturalized areas. It is also used in restoration projects to enhance biodiversity in wetland habitats. While it prefers moist, rich soils, it is relatively adaptable and can tolerate a range of soil conditions provided they are not too dry. It is important to maintain consistent moisture levels for optimal growth. This species is generally low-maintenance but can be susceptible to root rot if drainage is poor.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.8-2 feet
- Width: 0.2-0.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fragrant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Moist meadows, wetlands, fens, and forest clearings
Other Names
Common Names: Common Ladies’ Tresses, Nodding Ladies’-Tresses, Nodding Ladiestresses, White Nodding Ladies’-Tresses, Nodding Ladies’ Tresses, Dropping Ladies’-Tresses, Spiranthe Cernuée, Spiranthe Penchée, Knikkende Schroeforchis
Scientific Names: , Spiranthes cernua, Ibidium cernuum, Spiranthes cernua var. cernua, Spiranthes cernua var. ochroleuca, Neottia cernua, Gyrostachys cernua, Ophrys cernua, Gyrostachys constricta, Limnodorium autumnale
GBIF Accepted Name: Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich.