Spiranthes spiralis

This species has representatives almost all over the globe and contains some 60 species .Most of them grow in the Temperate Zone in the Northern Hemisphere .The Latin name of the genus (as well as the presented species )well captures a characteristic quality of these plants -their long erect unilateral inflorescence is intensely spiraled .

Spiranthes spiralis is a relatively unobtrusive herb growing out of two ,three or four beetroot -like tubers .The flower stalk measures 2.8 -12 in/7-30 cm ,is covered with reduced ,clasping ,scale -like leaves ,and never grows from the ground rosette of egg-shaped lanceolate leaves .This curious way of development ,unheard of among Europian orchids ,is caused by the fact that the rosette starts growing after the formation of the inflorescence is already under way -in earlier summer ;it then survives the winter and dies in early spring the following year .During its development ,it gives rise to a new underground tuber that will produce flowers inthe following season ,again only after its ''own''leaves have died . Between 6-30 flowers are arranged in a sparse ,spiraled ,unilateral raceme .They are small ,partially open ,white with a yellowish ,wavy edged lip.Spiranthes spiralis inhabits infertile meadows and pastures and light coniferous forests Spiranthes spiralis blooms relatively late in the year-between August and October and is widespread in Europe (chiefly the southwest), northern Africa and Asia Minor.