Shining Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes lucida)

Life history

Species overview

Shining Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes lucida), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in saturated, calcareous, and usually gravelly or sandy soils. Typical habitats include stream and river banks or floodplain terraces, fens, and old quarries or gravel pits. Blooming occurs from late May through early July. The optimal identification period for this species is late May through early July.

Synonyms: Ibidium plantagineum

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Sepals fused for 0.6 to 0.8 mm at the base; viscidium (sticky portion of stigma lobe) oval; lip largely bright yellow.
• Flower characteristics: Flowers widely spreading; sepals 5 to 5.5 mm, basally fused for 0.6 to 0.8 mm, directed forward along with lateral petals; lip 5 to 6 mm, broadly oblong, rounded-square edges with irregular teeth along the distal margin, distal two-thirds bright yellow or orange-yellow with white margins.
• Fruit characteristics: Seed coat net-veined.
• Leaf characteristics: Basal leaves lance-oblong, to 12 cm long and 7 to 15 mm wide; cauline sheaths 2 to 3, much reduced, the upper scale-like.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: late May through early July
• Fruiting phenology:
• Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is late May through early July

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Carex stricta, Lysimachia ciliata, Asclepias incarnata, Anemone canadensis, Salix exigua.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Shining Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes lucida). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in saturated, calcareous, and usually gravelly or sandy soils. Typical habitats include stream and river banks or floodplain terraces, fens, and old quarries or gravel pits.
• Soils: Wet or damp, calcareous soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Shining Lady's-tresses. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Shining Lady's-tresses. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.
• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Buffer management around unique microhabitats such as ephemeral ponds, seeps, etc.
• Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.
• Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Other resources

Links to additional Shining Lady's-tresses information

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use