Spiranthes spiralis - Autumn Lady's-tresses
Autumn Lady' s-tresses is easily overlooked, and intermittent in occurrence, but occasionally appears in large numbers at any particular site. It is mainly a coastal species growing on fixed dunes, road verges, grassland banks and on walls, such as on the Garrison, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly (SV80Z, 1995, C.N.French). Old records would seem to indicate that it was more widespread in the past. It is also interesting to note that it was formerly recorded from mine waste. The anomalous record for SX47A is from Sylvia's Meadow where it grows with at least seven other orchid species. Other records include Predannack (SW61S, 1993, N.Harrison), Upton Towans (SW53U, 1994, D.T.Holyoak), Godrevy (SW54W, 1996, C.N.French), Gear (SW75R, 1995, B.Grant), East Pentire (SW76V, 1995, H.M.Meredith), Point (SW83E, 1991, N.De Sausmarez), St. Merryn (SW87W, 1992, S.Cull), Tregirls (SW97D, 1993, A.Joyner), Brea Hill (SW97I, 1993, H.Miles), Erth Barton (SX35T, 1996, M.Atkinson) and Southdown Quarry (SX45G, 1990, S.C.Madge).
Click here to see Aphotoflora images by David Fenwick
Source:
French, C.N., Murphy, R.J. & Atkinson, M. 1999. Flora of Cornwall. Wheal Seton Press, Camborne.