Spiranthes ovalis var. erostellata
Brittonia 35: 123, figs. 1 [right], 2, 3. 1983.
Endemic
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 538.
Plants allogamous. Flowers: sepals 3.5–5 mm; rostellum and viscidium absent. 2n = 30.
Phenology: Flowering late Aug–Oct.
Habitat: Moist, rich woodlands, thickets, old fields, 2d-growth woodlands, wooded hillsides
Elevation: 0–900 m
Distribution
Ont., Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Md., Mich., Miss., Mo., Ohio, Okla., N.C., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., W.Va.
Discussion
In Spiranthes ovalis var. ovalis, all plants have fully open flowers, and the ovaries swell progressively. In most plants of S. ovalis var. erostellata, the flowers are never quite fully open, and the ovaries are simultaneously swollen on each flower. Because the varieties are largely allopatric, identification can be aided by locality.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.