Spiranthes ×sierrae
Sierra ladies' tresses
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Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Spiranthes ×sierrae (Sierra ladies' tresses) is a native California perennial in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by hybrid species with limited range data.
Sierra ladies' tresses is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in wet meadows, fens, seeps, and wet roadsides at elevations of 1,600 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this delicate orchid produces greenish-ivory flowers tightly spiraled along the stem, with a distinctive fiddle-shaped lip featuring a greenish-yellow center. Growing 20 to 40 centimeters tall with slender, upright stems, the plant emerges from linear-lanceolate basal leaves. Its bell-shaped flowers have spreading lateral sepals and create an elegant, twisting floral arrangement characteristic of the ladies' tresses orchids. The mature plant produces light brown fruits that develop after the flowering period.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; hybrid species with limited range data
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, fens, seeps, wet roadsides
Elevation: 1600-2000 m
Bloom period
Spiranthes ×sierrae blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Platanthera: Spiranthes flowers spiral up the stem and lack spurs, while Platanthera flowers grow in a straight spike and have spurs.; vs Listera: Spiranthes has basal leaves and flowers in a spiral, while Listera has two opposite leaves at mid-stem.; vs Epipactis: Spiranthes flowers spiral up the stem, while Epipactis flowers grow in a straight spike and has pleated leaves up the stem.; vs Goodyera: Spiranthes flowers spiral up the stem, while Goodyera flowers grow in a straight spike and has a neat rosette with patterned leaves.; vs Piperia: Spiranthes flowers spiral up the stem and have pouched lips, while Piperia flowers grow in a straight spike.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spiranthes ×sierrae native to California?
Yes. Spiranthes ×sierrae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Spiranthes ×sierrae bloom?
Spiranthes ×sierrae blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Spiranthes ×sierrae belong to?
Spiranthes ×sierrae is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Spiranthes.
What habitat does Spiranthes ×sierrae grow in?
Spiranthes ×sierrae grows in Wet meadows, fens, seeps, wet roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Spiranthes sp. — Ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes ×stellata — Starry ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes perexilis — Slender starry ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes porrifolia — Western ladies' tresses
- Spiranthes romanzoffiana — Hooded ladies' tresses
- Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis — Fairy slipper
- Calypso sp. — Fairy slipper
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-15
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.