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Species Details
Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
Leaves2-4 times longer than wide; 5-15 cm long; reduced as move up stem (Moss, 1983). Alternate; upper leaves bract-like (Johnson et al., 1995).
Flowers6-10 mm long; white; have sweet scent; 3 in twisted inflorescence; sepals and lateral petals lance-shaped; lip 9-12 mm long and deflexed; widens into rounded lobe; margin rounded teeth; no spur; 2 pollinia with 2 clefts; plates of granular pollen connected by threads (Moss, 1983). Spiralling spike of flowers (Johnson et al., 1995).
Fruits and SeedsDry fruit; capsule; 10 mm long; many seeds (Johnson et al., 1995).
Scientific Name
Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
Common Name
ladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
General Description
A stout perennial with a leafy stem, 10-40 cm tall, that grows from fleshy roots to bear white flowers (Moss, 1983).
Leaves
2-4 times longer than wide; 5-15 cm long; reduced as move up stem (Moss, 1983). Alternate; upper leaves bract-like (Johnson et al., 1995).
Flowers
6-10 mm long; white; have sweet scent; 3 in twisted inflorescence; sepals and lateral petals lance-shaped; lip 9-12 mm long and deflexed; widens into rounded lobe; margin rounded teeth; no spur; 2 pollinia with 2 clefts;…
6-10 mm long; white; have sweet scent; 3 in twisted inflorescence; sepals and lateral petals lance-shaped; lip 9-12 mm long and deflexed; widens into rounded lobe; margin rounded teeth; no spur; 2 pollinia with 2 clefts; plates of granular pollen connected by threads (Moss, 1983). Spiralling spike of flowers (Johnson et al., 1995).
Fruits and Seeds
Dry fruit; capsule; 10 mm long; many seeds (Johnson et al., 1995).
Phenology
June to October (JSTOR).
Notes
2n=30 (Moss, 1983). Southern Native peoples used in the treatment of venereal and urinary diseases; they were added to baths to promote health and strength (Johnson et al., 1995). The flowers have a strong…
2n=30 (Moss, 1983). Southern Native peoples used in the treatment of venereal and urinary diseases; they were added to baths to promote health and strength (Johnson et al., 1995). The flowers have a strong vanilla-like fragrance during the day and night (Johnson et al., 1995).
Range/Distribution
Alberta: widespread across region, predominantly central (Canadensys). CAN (BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, SK, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, YT); USA (AK, WA, OR, CA, NV, AZ, UT, ID, MT, WY, CO, NM, ND, SD, NE, MN, IA, IL, WI, MI, IN, OH,…
Alberta: widespread across region, predominantly central (Canadensys). CAN (BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, SK, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, YT); USA (AK, WA, OR, CA, NV, AZ, UT, ID, MT, WY, CO, NM, ND, SD, NE, MN, IA, IL, WI, MI, IN, OH, PA, NY, VT, ME, MA, CT, NH) (USDA).
Citation
Page Citation for Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search-test.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-3910/12-15903. Accessed 07 Oct. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 132 specimens of this Species.
108975 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Manitoba, Riding Mountain National Park
Date Collected1979-07-30
56228 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Rowan Lake
Date Collected1974-08-01
107946 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, RB Miller Biological Station
Date Collected1961-08-15
104404 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Fox Creek
Date Collected1984-08-05
104405 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Fox Creek
Date Collected1984-07-22
107790 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, British Columbia, Banks Island, Kelp Point
Date Collected1983-07-23
110947 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Mitsue Lake
Date Collected1985-05
110948 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Smith
Date Collected1985-05
110949 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Decrene
Date Collected1985-05
110950 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Decrene
Date Collected1985-05
110951 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Flatbush
Date Collected1985-05
111428 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Calahoo
Date Collected1986-07-22
94257 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Hondo
Date Collected1987-07-18
71536 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Smith
Date Collected1974-08-09
54543 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Smith
Date Collected1974-07-17
25422 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Fort McMurray
Date Collected1968-07-29
26436 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Primrose Lake
Date Collected1968-07-17
102134 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Leming Lake
Date Collected1995-07-31
76806 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Muskeg Lake
Date Collected1976-07-12
83657 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper Lake Dunes
Date Collected1976-07-24
83687 - Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameladies' tresses, hooded ladies' tresses
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper Lake Dunes
Date Collected1976-08-18