FNPS Plant Database
Spiranthes odorata
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Orchidaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Considerations:
Availability:
Propagation:
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
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Stays wet -to- Somewhat moist, no flooding
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Loam, Organic
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.
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Vouchered In:
Ecology
Wildlife:
Pollinated by long-tongued bees, notably, bumblebees.
Native Habitats:
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Citations:
Catling, Paul M. 1983. Pollination of northeastern North American Spiranthes (Orchidaceae). Canadian Journal of Botany. 61(4): 1080-1093. ( https://doi.org/10.1139/b83-116 ). Accessed 2026.
Missouri Botanical Garden. (Undated). Spiranthes odorata [in] PlantFinder. ( http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a284 ). Accessed 2026. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO.
North American Orchid Center. Spiranthes odorata , Marsh Ladies' Tresses [in] GoOrchids. ( https://goorchids.northamericanorchidcenter.org/species/spiranthes/odorata/ ). Accessed 2026. North American Orchid Center, Edgewater, MD.
Wikipedia. Spiranthes odorata. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiranthes_odorata ). Accessed 2026.
Wunderlin, R. P, B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
