About Spiranthes sylvatica P.M.Br.
Spiranthes sylvatica P.M.Br. is a tall species of the Spiranthes orchid genus. Mature plants can grow up to 80 cm tall, and produce up to 7 basal leaves. This species bears 10 to 30 greenish white flowers arranged in a spiral pattern along its central stem. Like the related species Spiranthes praecox, the lip of each of its flowers has prominent dark green veins. Two clear differences set Spiranthes sylvatica apart from Spiranthes praecox: its flowers are more greenish in overall color, and it has larger flowers that measure 10 to 17 mm across, compared to just 6 to 9 mm for Spiranthes praecox flowers. Spiranthes sylvatica blooms from March through June. This orchid is native to the United States, where it occurs naturally in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. It grows in dry coastal forests, most commonly in live oak hammocks.
