Southern Lady's Tresses
Spiranthes torta
Also known as: Ames' Lady's Tresses
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
Lorin Timaeus
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Genus:
- Spiranthes
- Species:
- Spiranthes torta
- USDA Symbol:
- SPTO5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Epiphyte
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Dust seeds require symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi for germination; conventional stratification is not applicable.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI