Chinese ladies' tresses facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chinese ladies' tresses
Scientific classification
Genus:	Spiranthes
Species:	sinensis
Synonyms
Neottia sinensis Pers. (basionym) Aristotelea spiralis Lour. Calanthe australis Aiton ex Loudon Epidendrum aristotelea Raeusch. Gyrostachys amoena Blume Gyrostachys australis (R.Br.) Blume Gyrostachys australis var. flexuosa (Sm.) Blume Gyrostachys congesta (Lindl.) Kuntze Gyrostachys novifuburgensis Kuntze Gyrostachys stylites (Lindl.) Kuntze Gyrostachys wightiana Kuntze Ibidium spirale (Lour.) Makino Ibidium viridiflorum (Makino) Makino Monustes australis (R.Br.) Raf. Neottia amoena M.Bieb. Neottia australis R.Br. Neottia crispata Blume Neottia flexuosa Sm. Neottia parviflora Sm. Neottia pudica (Lindl.) Sweet Ophrys spiralis Georgi Spiranthes amoena (M.Bieb.) Spreng. Spiranthes aristotelea (Raeusch.) Merr. Spiranthes australis (R.Br.) Lindl. Spiranthes australis var. pudica (Lindl.) F.Muell. Spiranthes australis var. suishaensis Hayata Spiranthes australis var. viridiflora Makino Spiranthes congesta Lindl. Spiranthes crispata Zoll. & Moritzi Spiranthes densa A.Rich. Spiranthes flexuosa (Sm.) Lindl. Spiranthes indica Lindl. ex Steud. Spiranthes longispicata A.Rich. Spiranthes neocaledonica Schltr. Spiranthes novae-zelandiae Hook.f. Spiranthes papuana Schltr. Spiranthes parviflora Spiranthes pudica Lindl. Spiranthes sinensis f. autumnus Tsukaya Spiranthes sinensis f. gracilis F.Maek. ex Tsukaya Spiranthes sinensis var. amoena (M.Bieb.) H.Hara Spiranthes sinensis var. australis (R.Br.) H.Hara & S.Kitam. Spiranthes spiralis (Lour.) Makino Spiranthes stylites Lindl. Spiranthes suishanensis (Hayata) Schltr. Spiranthes viridiflora (Makino) Makino Spiranthes wightiana Lindl. ex Wall.

Spiranthes sinensis, often called the Chinese ladies' tresses or Chinese spiranthes, is a beautiful type of orchid. These special flowers are found in eastern and southeastern parts of Asia.

What is the Chinese Ladies' Tresses?

For a long time, scientists thought that Spiranthes sinensis was just one widespread species. They even grouped more than 30 different plant names under this single name. This is like saying all types of apples are just "apple."

However, new studies using modern tools like DNA analysis have shown something different. These studies looked closely at the plants' genes and their physical features. They discovered that what was thought to be one species is actually a group of six distinct species.

How Do We Tell Them Apart?

The 'true' Spiranthes sinensis (the original one) has specific features. It is glabrous, which means it has a smooth surface without any hairs. This orchid usually blooms in the spring. Its flowers are a lovely pale blush-pink color.

This specific Spiranthes sinensis is not found everywhere, as once believed. It mainly grows in Southeast Asia, eastern East Asia, and southern Japan.

Other Similar Species

The other five species that were once confused with Spiranthes sinensis are now recognized on their own. They are:

• Spiranthes australis
• Spiranthes flexuosa
• Spiranthes maokensis
• Spiranthes sunii
• Spiranthes suishanensis

Each of these has its own unique characteristics and preferred growing areas.

Images for kids

Spiranthes sinensis