tion. In 1921, Ames (in Rhodora 23, p. 74) considered 
S.cernua and S. odorata to be the same. He wrote: ‘‘S'pi- 
ranthes cernua is so variable that attempts are sometimes 
made to discover in it a polymorphic species susceptible 
of splitting... It would seem that S. odorata owes its 
success in escaping synonymy to the fact that it was born 
under authority and subsequently sustained because ef- 
forts to recognize it have persisted. I am convinced that 
iS. odorata is conspecific with S.cernua.’” Ames’ illustra- 
tion of the lip of S. cernwa (in Rhodora 28 (1921) pl. 127, 
fig. 6) is what I consider to be typical of the species. 
Correll’s illustration of the lip of 8. odorata (in Journ. 
Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 58 (1937) pl. 15, fig. 8) is typical 
of S. cernua var. odorata. Ames (Orch. 1 (1905) 128) 
considered Gyrostachys triloba and G.constricta of Small 
as synonymous with S. odorata. I have examined Small’s 
types and consider them to be the same as S.cernua. 
Hapsitat: In marshes, swamps, hammocks, low 
woods, wet pinelands and borders of rivers and lakes, oc- 
casionally in water or on rotten stumps and wood, often 
in dense clumps because of its stoloniferous habit; in the 
mountains up to 5000 feet where it is found in dry sandy 
soils on open hillsides and wooded ridges. 
FLOWERING SEASON: September to January; rarely 
May and July in Florida. 
ILLUSTRATION: Correll in Journ. Elisha Mitchell Sci. 
Soc. 53 (1987) pl. 15, fig. 8— Morris and Eames Our Wild 
Orchids (1929) pls. 92 and 98—Small in Journ. N. Y. Bot. 
Gard. 34 (1988) 107, fig. 1; 35 (1934) 18, fig. 1. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION : I have seen specimens 
referable to the variety from scattered stations through- 
out the area of distribution of the species. 
North Carolina: Brunswick, Chowan, Columbus, 
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