Leaves usually persisting through anthesis, obovate. Inflorescences secund or loosely spiraled, lax, with distinct space between proximal flowers (ratio of spike length/flower number equal to or greater than 2.3), sparsely pubescent, some trichomes capitate, glands obviously stalked. Flowers: lip 3–6 mm, broadest at apex; central portion green to yellowish green, with narrow, crisp white apron clearly defined to obscure. 2n = 30.

Flowering Jun--Sep. Dry to moist meadows, open woods, barrens, old fields, roadsides, 0--700 m; Alta., Man., N.B., N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Que, Sask.; Ark., Conn., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., R.I., Tenn., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis.

Hybrids of Spiranthes lacera var. lacera with S. romanzoffiana are known as Spiranthes ×simpsonii Catling & Sheviak.