Question: Dear botanist: I think this is an orchid in the genus Spiranthes, but which one? S. ochroleuca? Found today in …
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Question
Dear botanist: I think this is an orchid in the genus Spiranthes, but which one? S. ochroleuca? Found today in an upland area in Woburn, among bluestem grasses. Thanks, Tom
Answer
Dear TomW, good morning. Yes, there is high probability this is Spiranthes ochroleuca. If you look at the labellum (the lowermost petal) and examine the underside of this petal, it will be yellow in this species. This is a good field characteristic to identify the late-summer flowering species. Best wishes.
