Photo: Allefant, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fragrant ladies' tresses
Spiranthes odorata (Nutt.) Lindl.
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Height in the aquarium
medium to high
Light
low
CO₂ needs
22–26 °C
Ideal temperature
Water parameters
Understand these values- Position
- midground
- Propagation
- plantlets on the roots, separating offshoots
- Grows emersed
- yes
In the wild
Overview
This American marsh orchid can last underwater for a long time, which makes it unusual in an aquatic catalogue. Its fairly thick leaves contain air-filled tissue. Out of water it becomes more vigorous and produces flowers arranged in a spiral around upright stalks.
- Scientific name
- Spiranthes odorata (Nutt.) Lindl.
- Classification
- Asparagales › Orchidaceae
- IUCN Red List
- Not evaluated (NE)
Natural habitat
North America
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Introduced in Rivers and lakes
- Native countries
- Introduced by people
Outside its native range, in 2 countries:
An aquarium plant must never reach the wild: throwing away cuttings or emptying a tank into a stream can be enough to establish it.
Countries: Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). Dots: GBIF observations in the native countries.
In the aquarium
Growing in the aquarium
Submerged, it grows very slowly and stays discreet. Emersed growing favours flowering. Young plants form on the spreading roots, which lets you propagate it. Check the name when buying: Spiranthes cernua is another, closely related species, and not all marsh orchids tolerate lasting submersion equally.
Sources:Flowgrow GBIF POWO (Kew) Flowgrow — description allemande · Base map: Natural Earth