What’s Poppin’? Phenological Fun: Nodding Ladies’ Tresses & Hill Holly

Nodding ladies’ tresses, Spiranthes cernua

Nodding ladies’ tresses spiral down a staircase in a coordinated step-wise fashion, they outpace their bee suitors in elegant white. It’s no wonder the bees start from the bottom of the staircase to intercept the best of their nectar. The older flowers towards the base of the stem produce more nectar and are therefore sought out first by native bees. In fact, scientists believe the spiral pattern was an adaptation to bee pollinating habits. Uneven cell growth also contributes to the stem’s unique twisting pattern.

Photo Credit: Eric Hunt, NC State Extension Gardener

Photo Credit: Christine Danforth, ACB

This late bloomer of an orchid can be found in wet areas such as marshes and meadows. Native to the eastern half of the United States, our colonial forming plant is sustained by mycorrhizal networks underground, specifically endomycorrhizal associations where the hyphae of the fungi penetrate the plant’s cells for transport of water and nutrients. In this reciprocal exchange, the spiranthes provides the fungus with carbohydrates made from photosynthesis and the fungus provides water and nutrients to the plant collected through its hyphae or fungal filaments that extend long and wide under the soil. Neither fungi nor orchid can survive without the other in true codependent fashion.

Photo Credit: https://www.britannica.com/plant/nodding-ladies-tresses

Hill holly or long-stalk holly, Ilex collina

Long-stalk holly is known for its very specific habitat requirements. Picky living conditions and mounting threats, such as unsustainable forms of forest management, pollution, and water diversion practices causing poor water quality, and climate change’s harsh temperature regimes, have reduced the abundance of this species.

This shrub can grow 3 to 4 meters tall, and produces vibrant red-orange berries (Photo credit: Rob Nicholson/ saveplants.org).

A hydric lover by heart, hill holly can be found in high elevation areas with wetlands or riverine systems present. This species specifically thrives in oligotrophic wetlands where little human-induced nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff and an influx of stormwater exist. Oligotrophic wetlands are further defined by their reduced sedimentation, and cold, clear water. High biodiversity levels of species uniquely adapted to these conditions and low algae growth are also indicators for this type of wetland.

Photo Credits: Christine Danforth, ACB

Despite our nitpicky holly and the many variables it must contend with to survive, the great news is that our very own Christine Danforth, Forests Projects Coordinator of Pennsylvania, found this holly on an adventure in West Virginia. And just in time for the holidays too! Protect your local waterways–from Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia–and you protect this species among other indicators of ecosystem health.

Photo Credits: Christine Danforth, ACB

If you see something blooming, leafing out, ripening, or otherwise changing in your woods, send us photos (forestsforthebay@gmail.com) to include in next month’s Forests for the Bay newsletter for more phenological fun!