ORCHIDACEJE. 



815 



dilated and spreading at the extremity. Column arching, with the 

 anther attached to the back. 



An extensive genus, spread over the greater part of the globe, and 

 readily known by the spirally twisted spikes. 



Leaves radical, ovate, or oblong ; the stems bearing short scales 



only 1. Common S. 



Leaves all narrow, near the base of the flowering stem. 



Spike 2 to 3 inches long, the flowers in one row .... 2. Summer S. 



Spike dense, 1 to li inches long, the flowers in three rows. 3. Drooping S. 



1. Common Spirantli. Spiranthes autumnalis, Kich. 

 (Fig. 980.) 



{Ophrys, Eng. Bot. t. 541. Neottia, Brit. Fl. Lady's- tresses.) 



The rootstock produces every year 

 2 or 3 thick, oblong tubers, and a tuft 

 of 3 or 4 broadly ovate or oblong, spread- 

 ing radical leaves, seldom above an inch 

 long. Flowering stems by the side of 

 the tuft of leaves, 6 to 8 inches high, 

 green, with short, sheathing, pointed 

 scales, very seldom growing out into 

 very short, linear leaves. Flowers white, 

 with a sweet smell of almonds, in a 

 rather close spiral spike of about 2 

 inches, all diverging horizontally to 

 one side, whilst the bracts remain erect 

 on the opposite side. 



On dry, hilly pastures, all over Eu- 

 rope, except the extreme north, extend- 

 ing eastward to the Caucasus. Abun- 

 dant in most parts of England, but not 

 further north than Westmoreland and 

 Yorkshire, and occurs also in Ireland. 

 Fl. autumn. 



Fig. 980. 



2. Summer Spiranth. Spiranthes aestivalis, Eich. 

 (Fig. 981.) 



(Eng. Bot. Suppl. t. 2817. Neottia, Brit. Fl.) 



Rootstock more horizontal than in the common S., with longer, more 

 cylindrical tubers. Leaves radical, or on the flower-stem near the 



