Summer lady's tresses (Spiranthes lucida)
Description
This orchid is now extinct in the UK due to habitat destruction. It was last recorded in Britain in 1952 and had been clinging onto survival in a few spots including the New Forest in Hampshire and the Channel Islands. Land drainage for agricultural purposes and collection seem to have been the main culprits for its demise. Although this orchid can grow up to 40cm smaller plants (up to 20cm) are more common. There are 3 - 6 leaves at the base of the stem with a few smaller bract-like leaves higher up. The stems can be yellowish in colour and have fine hairs towards the top. Each infloresence carries up to 20 pure white, hairy flowers which are funnel-shaped and wrapped around the stem in a spiral. Sometimes confused with Autum Lady's-tresses Spiranthes spiralis, it is the flowering times which set these two species apart. As its name suggests, Autumn Lady's-tresses flowers late in the year - from August in the UK and well into October in the Mediterranean region. Spiranthes aestivalis comes into flower in July.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Orchidaceae
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Genus: Spiranthes
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