Spiranthes delitescens

Sheviak

Rhodora 92: 215, figs. 1, 2. 1990.

Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 544. Mentioned on page 531, 543.

Plants 20–48 cm. Roots few–several, descending, slenderly tuberous, to 5 mm diam. Leaves persisting through anthesis, basal, on proximal 1/2 of stem, ascending to spreading, linearlanceolate to oblanceolate, to 18 × 1.5 cm (rarely wider). Spikes loosely to tightly spiraled, 3 flowers per cycle of spiral; rachis rather densely pubescent, trichomes without glands pointed, glandular obviously stalked, glands equaling or narrower than stipes. Flowers curving through horizontal, white, somewhat gaping and open with widespreading lateral sepals; sepals usually connate at base, 6.5–8 (–9.9) mm; lateral sepals curving outward throughout lengths, usually directed somewhat downward; petals linear to linear-oblanceolate, apex obtuse; lip creamy or very pale-yellow centrally, oblong, with variably evident median constriction, 5.8–7.9 × 3.2–4.9 mm, apex broadly expanded with extensive transverse pleats, distal surface mostly glabrous adaxially; basal calli prominent, stout; veins few, branches mostly widespreading; viscidia linear to linearlanceolate; ovary 3–6 mm. Seeds monoembryonic. 2n = 74.


Phenology: Flowering Jul–Aug.
Habitat: Cienegas, wet riparian meadows, stream banks
Elevation: 1400–1500 m

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Spiranthes delitescens is an amphiploid product of hybridization of species in the n = 15 and n = 22 lineages. Although its origin is unknown, on morphologic grounds C. J. Sheviak (1990) proposed S. vernalis and S. porrifolia as possible parents.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Spiranthes delitescens"
self-pollination +
expanded +
Charles J. Sheviak +  and Paul Martin Brown +
Sheviak +
indehiscent +
not +  and articulate +
conduplicate +  and plicate +
flattened +, triangular +  and cylindric +
widespreading +
cylindric +
1400–1500 m +
open +  and gaping +
recurved +  and resupinate +
pubescent +  and glabrous +
pointed +
narrower +
Cienegas, wet riparian meadows, stream banks +
lateral +  and terminal +
downward +, directed +  and widespreading +
petiolate +, sessile +  and simple +
duplicate +, convolute +, whorled +, opposite +, distichous +  and alternate +
persisting +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (?) +  and 18 cm180 mm <br />0.18 m <br /> (?) +
ascending;spreading +
cauline +  and basal +
oblanceolate +
reduced +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (1.5 cm15 mm <br />0.015 m <br />) +
pale-yellow +  and creamy +
0.58 cm5.8 mm <br />0.0058 m <br /> (0.79 cm7.9 mm <br />0.0079 m <br />) +
oblong +
larger +
membranaceous +  and fleshy to somewhat +
0.32 cm3.2 mm <br />0.0032 m <br /> (0.49 cm4.9 mm <br />0.0049 m <br />) +
differing in form and color +
cylindric +
0.3 cm3 mm <br />0.003 m <br /> (0.6 cm6 mm <br />0.006 m <br />) +
1-many-flowered +  and cymose +
pendent +  and erect +
linear;linear-oblanceolate +
Flowering Jul–Aug. +
extensive +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (0.5 cm5 mm <br />0.005 m <br />) +
aerial +  and subterranean +
few +  and several +
slender +
monoembryonic +
minute +
0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br /> (0.99 cm9.9 mm <br />0.0099 m <br />) +
0.65 cm6.5 mm <br />0.0065 m <br /> (0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br />) +
foliaceous +
not +  and alike +
branched +, or +  and simple +
pendent +  and erect +
proliferous +
thickened +  and stout +
concave +  and convex +
Spiranthes delitescens +
Spiranthes +
species +
aquatic +, lithophytic +, terrestrial +  and epiphytic +
saprophytic +, photosynthetic +  and mycotrophic +