Syn.: Ophrys spiralis L., Epipactis spiralis (L.) Crantz, Spiranthes autumnalis L. C. Richard
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.
Distribution: Western, Southern and Central Europe, Northern Africa and Western Asia.
Ecology: Grows on meadows and pastures, on acid to alkalic soils, from lowlands to foothills, in the Southern Europe up to 1200 m. Flowers from August to October.
Description: Perennial herb with an erect stem, 10–25 cm tall. Leaves from 3 to 7, wide ovate, in compact rosette. Inflorescence dense, spiralled, 3–15 cm long, flowers 6–30, white to white-greenish, 4–7 mm across. Fruit is a capsule.
Threat and protection: Populations of Autumn Ladie’s Tresses are endangered by extinction in all Europe, species is a protected in some countries (BG, CZ, SK). Simultaneously is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Note: The genus Spiranthes contains about 300 species and is found in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions all over the world.
These images were taken in Czechia, Švařec (August 27, 2005).
