Spiranthes igniorchis M.C.Pace 2017
Photos by David Mcadoo ©
Photo/drawing by © M C Pace and Brittonia 69: 331 M C Pace 2017
LATER
Common Name The Fire Spiralis [referes to its preference to be in areas with frequent fires]
Flower Size .12" [3 mm]
Found in Central Florida in seasonally wet acidic and calcareous subtropical grasslands as a small to medium sized, cold growing terrestrial with fasciculate, fleshy, slender roots giving rise to a few, basal, held upright, withering as the inflorescence arises, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, shiney medium green, tapering, decurrtent leaves that blooms in mid August until mid September on an erect, peduncle glabrous, provided with several adpressed, clasping, lanceolate, acute sheathing bracts, 6.8 to 15.2" [17 to 38 cm] long, rachis 2" [5 cm] long, a single row of flowers in a slightly to moderately coiled spiral, moderately pubescent, 12 or so flowered inflorescence with moderately pubescent, broadly lanceolate, acuminate, concave around the ovary, longer than the ovary floral bracts.
"Spiranthes igniorchis is most similar to Spiranthes longilabris, from which it can be differentiated by its wet season flowering period from August to September (vs. December, dry season) flowering period in south-central Florida, a more strongly coiled inflorescence, smaller proportioned flowers, less oblique lateral sepals, shorter dorsal sepal and petals, and larger callosities. It can be distinguished from Spiranthes laciniata by the presence of a ruffled to undulate labellum margin (vs. a laciniate or shallowly lacerate margin) and position of the lateral sepals as being held in-line with the flower, as opposed to below the profile of the flower." M C Pace 2017
Synonyms
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;
* Brittonia 69: 331 M C Pace 2017 photos fide
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