Scientific name: Spiranthes romanzoffiana Cham.
Common name: Irish Lady's-tresses
Description
Habit: With tuberous roots. Stems to 30cm high.
Leaves: 3-6 basal leaves present, linear-lanceolate, erect.
Flowers: Flowers in 3 spirally twisted rows, forming a short dense spike, flowers white with green markings, scented; sepals and petals all united in the lower part; labellum more or less unlobed, with slightly to markedly frilly distal edge, more or less appressed to other tepals to form tubular or trumpet-shaped perianth; pollinia not stalked; ovary erect, sessile, 8mm long.
Habitat: Marshes, fens and lakeshores.
Distribution: Rare and very local inland.
Native status: Native
Of conservation interest: Yes