Spiranthes
Terrestrial herbs with elongate underground tubers. Leaves linear to narrow-lanceolate, several, basal or nearly so around flowering stem. Flowers small, sessile, in a spiralled spike; perianth segments almost equal; dorsal sepal erect or incurved over column, ovate, concave; lateral sepals free, erect or spreading; petals truncate, erect, forming loose hood with dorsal sepal. Labellum about as long as sepals, with very short stalk, undivided, lower half erect with margin embracing column, lamina with 2 rounded glands at base. Column erect, very short, contracted in the lower half, column wings membranous, forming pouch between anther and stigma.
Cosmopolitan genus with about 25 recognized species (but possibly many more); depending on concepts, 3 or 4 occurring in Australia.
Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Orchidaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 740–901. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
