dense tuft of hairs on the dise near the apex; basal cal- 
losities thick, stout, prominent. 
ComMENts: In 1840, Lindley (Gen. & Sp. Orch. PI. 
pp. 471-472), in describing S. brevilabris, wrote: ‘‘Labello 
brevi oblongo utrinque rotundato apice crispo medio 
pubescente. .... This seems distinct from S. gracilis, to 
which it is the most nearly allied, in its spikes being very 
dense and covered with coarse short hairs; the lip too has 
quite a different form. Flowers are stated by Andrieux 
to be purple.”’ 
Later, 1905, Ames (Orch. 1, p. 123) wrote: ‘‘S. brevi- 
labris, Lindl., seems to be a pubescent form of SS. gracilis, 
Beck.’’ I have examined material from the southeastern 
states and Texas which is at once distinct from typical 
S. gracilis. The Texas material (cited below) is so robust 
and densely pubescent that, if it were aphyllous or if the 
leaves were linear instead of being ovate-oblong, it could 
immediately be referred to S. vernalis. Besides having a 
densely pubescent spike, var. brevilabris is characterized 
by the lip having very deeply and finely lacerate-fringed 
margins and a dense tuft of hairs on the dise near the apex. 
I am unable to state the color of the flowers. It is highly 
improbable that they are purple as Andrieux stated. 
Hapsrrat: In dry prairies and pine-barrens or open 
sandy soil and wet pinelands. 
FLOWERING SEASON: February to May. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION (Specimens examined): 
Georgia: Thomas County: Thomasville, April 1, 
1903, 7. B. Taylor (Herb. Ames); Thomasville, late 
March 1908, Mrs. A.P. Taylor (Herb. Ames). Also 
Wrightsboro (spike pubescent !), 4. W.Chapman [?] 
(Herb. N.Y. Bot. Gard.). 
Florida: Hillsborough County: Tampa Bay, 1834, 
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