Spiranthes porrifolia
Orchidaceae
Western Ladies' Tresses
Stem erect, with dense spike of flowers. Basal leaves several to 6 in., becoming smaller upward. Flowers in dense spiral spike, cream to yellowish; upper sepal and 2 petals fused together forming a cylinder with tips spreading; 2 lower sepals not fused; lower petal bending down, with fine hair on tip, sepals and petals all about the same size length. Grows in freshwater marshes, wet meadows, seeps, at low to mid-elevations. Spiranthes is Greek for "coiled flowers," as all Spiranthes blossoms are held in a spiral spike. Differences between this species and S. romanzoffiana are subtle; notice the hair on tip of lower petal.
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Flowering Time: Early Summer
- Flower Form: petals 3 or 6, orchids
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 6–24 inches
- Habitat: Bog/Fen/Wetland, Coastal, Meadow, West-side Forest
- Found In: East Gorge, Siskiyous
- Native: Yes
- Latin Synonyms: Spiranthes romanzoffiana var. porrifolia
