52 



A GUIDE TO THE WILD FLOWERS 



\'5\ 



scales in one species. Flowers white or cream, in a slender, 

 partially twisted, terminal spike, not spurred. Lip not fringed. 

 Fruit an erect pod. There are several species, mostly dis- 

 tinguished by technical differences, of which the following 

 are best known. 



Leaves linear, conspicuous, at least 4 in. long. 



Spike about ^ in, thick, not much twisted 



Drooping ladies'-tresses no. 149 



Spike scarcely J/2 in. thick, conspicuously twisted 



Grass-leaved ladies'-tresses no. 150 



Leaves broadest toward the tip, wholly basal and often early with- 

 ering, the plant thus appearing leafless, not over 2 in. long. 

 Slender ladies'-tresses no. 151 



149. Drooping Ladies'-tresses. Ibidium cermium. Stem >^- 

 2 ft. high, often hairy towards the top, usually clothed with 

 sheathing scales. Leaves 4-12 in. long, nearly linear. Flower- 

 cluster not much twisted, 4-5 in. long, the flowers numerous, 

 fragrant, scarcely ^ in. long. September. Meadows from 

 Newfoundland to Fla. and westward. Fig. 149. A related 

 species, Ibidium plantaginciim, which is lower and with 

 smaller flowers and broader leaves is found from Nova 

 Scotia to Va. and westward. 



150. Grass-leaved Ladies'-tresses. Ibidium praccox. Stem 

 i-2j^ ft. tall, slightly sticky-hairy near the top. Leaves linear, 

 5-12 in. long, grass-like. Flower-cluster much twisted, 3-7 

 in. long, scarcely ^ in. thick, the flowers about y^. in. long. 

 Summer. Coastal meadows from N. J. to the Gulf. A re- 

 lated species, Ibidium vernale, with a very sticky-hairy stem, 

 smaller, yellowish flower, and shorter leaves is found from 



