Leafless beaked orchid

Neottia aphylla Hooker; Satyrium orchioides Swartz; Spiranthes jaliscana S. Watson; S. orchioides (Swartz) A. Richard

Leaves usually absent at flowering time. Inflorescences 4–18 cm; floral bracts green to reddish brown, lanceolate, 15–20(–25) mm. Flowers 9–50, coral to orange-red; dorsal sepal 19–23 × 7–9 mm; lateral sepals 23–31 × 3–8 mm, connate for 5–7 mm over basal portion of mentum, free portion of mentum 4–6 mm; petals 21–26 × 6–8 mm; lip pale red or pinkish white to white, 23–31 × 8–11 mm; column 9–10 mm from attachment of dorsal sepal to tip, foot extending back 11–12 mm; pollinaria 8–9 mm; viscidia 4–5 mm; pedicellate ovary 10–20 mm; rostellum 4–5 mm. Capsules 14 × 8 mm. Seeds largely polyembryonic. 2n = 46.

Flowering mid Mar--early Jul. Open, dry to moist habitats including poorly drained pinelands, roadside ditches, pastures, open woods in sandy, ± acid substrates; 0--30 m; Fla.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; n South America.