Spiranthes australis explained

Spiranthes australis, commonly known as austral ladies tresses, is a species of orchid that grows from southern Caspian Sea and Himalayan Mountains to the South-West Pacific and north throughout Japan. It has up to about ten leaves at the base of a flowering stem with up to sixty small pink and white flowers spirally arranged around it.

Description

Spiranthes australis is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with between three and ten linear to lance-shaped or spatula-shaped dark green leaves which are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Between ten and sixty bright pink flowers are crowded and spirally arranged along a flowering spike NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 tall. The flowers are NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide, ranging from deep pink to pure white. The dorsal sepal is lance-shaped to egg-shaped, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and 2.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lateral sepals and petals are a similar size to the dorsal sepal but narrower. The labellum is white, has three obscure lobes and is about 6sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The labellum has a grainy texture and its edges are crinkled. Flowering occurs from October to March or later but the flowers are self-pollinating.[1] [2] [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Spiranthes australis was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[4] [5] The specific epithet (australis) is a Latin word meaning "southern".[6] The taxonomic concept of this species was expanded in 2019, and its relationship with Spiranthes sinensis clarified.[7]

Distribution and habitat

Austral ladies' tresses usually grows in boggy or swampy places but also in high-rainfall grassy places.

It is widely distributed from the southern Caspian Sea of Iran and Georgia (reported as S. amoena, synonym of S. australis)[8]

S. australis is the most well-known orchid in Japan. It is first attested in the Manyoshu collection of poetry, which was compiled ca. 760 CE. It is found in common places such as balconies, private gardens, and lawns. It is also seen in parks in natural spaces.[9]

In Australia, it occurs from Queensland, south through eastern New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria to Tasmania. It is sometimes also found in South Australia.

Conservation

Spiranthes australis is common throughout most of its range but is classed as "Rare" in South Australia where it is only known from the Mount Compass area.[10]

Use in horticulture

This orchid is relatively easy to grow in a well-drained, sandy potting mix. It sometimes occurs as a weed in commercial nurseries.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bernhardt. Peter. Spiranthes australis. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. 20 January 2018.
  2. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 1877069124. 285.
  3. Web site: Jeanes. Jeff. Spiranthes australis. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. 20 January 2018.
  4. Web site: Spiranthes australis. APNI. 20 January 2018.
  5. Book: Brown. Robert. Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae et insulae Van-Diemen. 1810. London. 319. 20 January 2018.
  6. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.. 731.
  7. Pace. Matthew C.. Giraldo. Giovanny. Frericks. Jonathan. Lehnebach. Carlos A.. Cameron. Kenneth M.. 2019-01-01. Illuminating the systematics of the Spiranthes sinensis species complex (Orchidaceae): ecological speciation with little morphological differentiation. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. en. 189. 1. 36–62. 10.1093/botlinnean/boy072. 0024-4074.
  8. Akhalkatsi M, Lorenz R, Matchutadze I, Mosulishvili M.. 2004. Spiranthes amoena - a new species for Flora of Georgia.. Journal Europäischer Orchideen. 36. 745–754.
  9. News: Gayle . Damien . Japan's most familiar orchid is found to have near-identical cousin . 18 March 2023 . The Guardian . 17 March 2023.
  10. Web site: Spiranthes australis. Government of South Australia Department for Environment and Heritage. 20 January 2018.
  11. Web site: Spiranthes australis. Australian Native Plants Society Australia. 20 January 2018.