NPSpecies

See Comments; Data Source: Lea, Chris (2000)

Data Source: Hill, 1986

Data Source: Lea, Chris (2000)

Park Species Detail: Hill, 1986: Native. Perennial herb. July-Aug. Fresh marsh, also in disturbed wet sands in full sun. Rare, seen only at North Beach campground. Also very rare in MD overall, according to the MNHP. (Higgins #142). Also at MARY is a specimen (Sipple 1796, 7/9/76) from the N tip of Assateague. MD only./ Lea, Chris April,2000:Hill (1986) reported this orchid from the North Beach campground and cited a collection by Sipple from the northern tip of the island in 1976. It is likely still extant, but was not observed during this survey, possibly due to its resemblance to the more common Spiranthes vernalis Engelm. & Gray. Members of the genus are often favored by mowing, (provided plants are not consistently mowed before reproduction has been completed),and S. vernalis is often locally frequent in mowed roadside areas in the National Seashore developed zone. The number of all occurrences of S. praecox in Maryland is not known. This species should be specifically sought, probably where S. vernalis occurs. Should significant occurrences be discovered in mowed areas, mowing schedules should be checked to assure that plants have opportunities to complete reproduction. No rank change by the Maryland Heritage Biodiversity Conservation Program is recommended./ Hamilton, 2004: Voucher specimen probable at MARY./, Park Species Data Source: Lea, Chris (2000); Hill, 1986