Autumn Lady's Tresses Spiranthes spiralis

Caineirian Nydd-Dro

Autumn Lady's-tresses, is a small, locally frequent white-flowered orchid with a southern distribution in the British flora. Flowering spikes appear in late summer, usually in short, unimproved grassland and can be easily overlooked. 

Autumn Lady's-tresses is a native orchid of conservation interest, classified as Near Threatened. It has declined in many areas because of agricultural intensification, fertiliser use, habitat loss and changes in grassland management. 

It needs short, open grassland with little competition from taller vegetation. If growing it in a lawn or meadow, avoid fertilisers and protect the plants from mowing during flowering and seed production.

Like other wild orchids, Autumn Lady's-tresses has specialised growing requirements and relationships with soil fungi. It is best suited to carefully managed, appropriate habitats rather than conventional flower borders.

BSBI 2025 Categorisation: Near Threatened

Height: 10cm

Flowering period: August to September

Colour: White