Spiranthes romanzoffiana, Cham., 1828, 1828

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

3 . S. romanzoffiana Cham. ,

Linnaea 3: 32 (1828).

Roots cylindrical, relatively slender. Stem 12-25 cm, sparsely glandular-puberulent above. Leaves basal and cauline, linear-lanceolate to narrowly oblong, acute, suberect, the lower 7-12 cm x 5-13 mm, the upper cauline smaller but not reduced to scales, present during anthesis. Spike 3-6 x 2 cm, dense, with 12-35 flowers in 3 spiral rows. Bracts 10-17 mm, ovate, acuminate. Perianth c. 12 mm, white tinged with green or cream, all segments, including the labellum, connate in lower half. Labellum somewhat con­ stricted below the sharply deflexed, crenulate apex. Flowering in mid- to late summer. 2n=60.

Damp, peaty ground and lake- shores.

Ireland, W. Scotland, S. W. England. Br Hb. (North America.)