Spiranthes aestivalis, (Poiret) L. C. M. Richard, 1817, 1817

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 330

2. S. aestivalis (Poiret) L. C. M. Richard ,

Orchid. Eur. Annot. 36 (1817).

Roots cylindrical-conical or fusiform. Stem 12-30 (-40) cm, glandular-puberulent above. Leaves 5-12 cm x 4-9 mm, linear-lanceolate, obtuse, suberect, mostly basal but 1 -2 on lower part of stem, passing into lanceolate scales above, present at anthesis. Spike 3-10 cm, slender, with 6-20 flowers in one spiral row. Bracts 6-9 mm, acuminate. Perianth-segments free, suberect, white, the outer 6-7 mm, lanceolate, the inner 5-6 mm, oblong. Labellum 6-7 mm, with upwardly-curved margins, deflexed at apex, white. Flowering in mid-summer.

Wet mead­ ows and marshes.

S., W. & C. Europe, but rare in the Mediter­ ranean region. Au Be fBr Co Cz Ga Ge?Gr He Ho Hs Hu It Ju fLu Sa.

A diminishing species, especially in the northern part of its range.