Question: In Cabot Vermont, I have a fairly large area with many Ladies Tresses plants. The soil is fairly acidic, as …
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Question
In Cabot Vermont, I have a fairly large area with many Ladies Tresses plants. The soil is fairly acidic, as 12 years ago it was host to Balsam Fir. I am trying to determine if I also have the less common yellow ladies tresses mixed in with the nodding ladies tresses. Thank you for your help.
Answer
Dear radirlam, the orchid that you have photographed appears to be Spiranthes ochroleuca (yellow ladies’-tresses). The yellow labellum is a good indicator--not merely the adaxial (i.e., top surface), but rather the yellow color on the abaxial (i.e., lower) surface of the labellum. Best wishes.
