Scotty Smith's Orchids of Colorado. - Southwest Colorado Wildflowers

Spiranthes diluvialis SheviakSpiranthes diluvialis Sheviak (Spy‟ ran‟ these)+(dil‟ lou‟ vee‟ all‟ lis), derived from the Greek words(Spir), as in coiled and the (Anthes), as in flower; referring to the spiraling of the flowers along thestem. The name diluvialis comes from the meaning of flood, or referring to the wet stream side oropen water habitats that the plant thrives in.Common name: Ute ladies‟-tressesOther names: Spiranthes romanzoffiana var. diluvialisFlowering: starting in early July thru AugustDescription: appears as an erect, slightly hairy perennial herb, stem 8-16 inches tall. Multiple small,white, ¼ to ½ inch long flowers spiral gracefully up the 1/3 top of the stalk, petals and sepals juttingout horizontally; the lower lip curling under like a hook. The lip petal is oval or lance-shaped with amiddle constriction; edges wavy. Leaves persist when plant is flowering, are linear at base andbecome bracts above, up to 10 inches long and ½ inch wide; visible veined. Seed capsules bunchclose to and around the stalk.Habitat: Plants can grow in wet meadows in full-sun in the margin just outside of cattails, but alsoin areas flooded in early spring, then draining as summer progresses and growing in the shade ofwillows at 4500 to 6,800 feet in altitude.Spiranthes diluvialis is an amphidiploid (natural cross breeding) of Spiranthes romanzoffiana and Spiranthesmagnicamporum, a Midwestern species no longer existing in Colorado. It is Colorado‟s onlyThreatened status orchid species, but is currently being considered for de-listing by U.S. Fish &Wildlife. It numbers in the thousands east of Boulder due in part to the efforts of Anna Arft, whodid her Ph.D. work on this plant, and Lynn Reidel, with Boulder Parks & Open Space, who tookthat invaluable information and has managed a successful program of protection, grazing, burningand mowing at the right times.162