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, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Orchidaceae
Genus:
Spiranthes
Species:
Spiranthes torta
USDA Symbol:
SPTO5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Epiphyte
Height:
45 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
mar,apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Found in fire-maintained pine flatwoods and wet prairies; benefits from periodic fire that reduces competition.

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

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