(Raf.) Raf.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.161362
Element CodePMORC2B0D0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
CITESAppendix II
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderOrchidales
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusSpiranthes
Other Common Namesnorthern slender ladies'-tresses (EN) Spiranthes découpée (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-05-16
Change Date1988-02-11
Edition Date2025-05-16
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsSpiranthes lacera is an orchid occurring in meadows, prairies, fields, disturbed areas, open woods, and barrens of eastern North America; from Alberta east to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Minnesota in the United States and Canada. There are over 1,900 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by habitat degradation due to livestock grazing, invasive species, succession, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, industrial development, mining, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Spiranthes lacera is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsSpiranthes lacera occurs in eastern North America, from Alberta east to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Minnesota in the United States and Canada (FNA 2002). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). See individual entries for distribution details about the two varieties.
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, there are estimated to be over 1,900 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Spiranthes lacera is threatened by habitat degradation due to livestock grazing, invasive species, succession, rights-of-way construction and maintenance, industrial development, mining, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species (NatureServe 2025).