Spiranthes praecox (Walter) S. Watson (Orchidaceae)— Stoddard County, Missouri: Otter Slough Conservation Area. Ditch along extension of Co. Rd 686. Between levee and edge of woods. Saturated to emergent wetland. Drier open margin of saturated ground near base of berm. Two stems observed. T24N R9E S8 SE4 SE4. 31 May 2000. A.E. Brant 4383 with Paul McKenzie and Janeen Laatch (MO).
Significance
While reviewing specimens for a systematic revision of Spiranthes Rich. by the first author, a specimen of Spiranthes vernalis Engelm. & A. Gray was determined to be Spiranthes praecox (Walter) S. Watson. This is the first record of S. praecox from Missouri, a species that is primarily found throughout the Coastal Plain from Long Island, New York, to peninsular Florida, and west to south central Arkansas (Clark Co.).