Spiranthes spiralis(L.) Chevall. - Autumn lady's-tresses
Scientific Description:
Plant c. 20–35 cm, with 2–3 napiform roots. Leaves 4–6, ovate, acute, rosulate, usually withered at anthesis, those appearing beside the flowering stem being the rosette for next year's season. Stem with adpressed bract-like leaves. Spike dense, many-flowered; flowers small, c. 5 mm, very fragrant; labellum oblong, rounded and recurved distally, with irregularly crenate undulate margin, white, tinged pale green. Ovary to 4 mm.
Flowering time: August−October.
Habitat: Grassy places, open Pinus L. Forests, s.l.–500 m.
Reference:
Renz J & Taubenheim G (1984). Spiranthes spiralis (L.) Chevall., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 8: 472.
Public Description:
Spiranthes spiralis, commonly known as “autumn lady’s-tresses”, is native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. It is a small grey-green plant with white flowers about 5 mm long. It can be found in dry grassy places, meadows, garigue, heaths, pine woodland, generally on calcareous soils. Autumn lady’s-tresses flowers from May until well into July.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiranthes_spiralis, Accessed date: 08.05.2017.
Güler N (2012). Spiranthes Rich., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 651–652.