tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7022216829037318291.post7485543067216251323..comments2024-02-17T05:19:25.175-05:00Comments on The Buckeye Botanist: A Weekend on the EdgeAndrew Lane Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555125434346996812noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7022216829037318291.post-3511666519620377952011-10-12T14:10:29.318-04:002011-10-12T14:10:29.318-04:00Hi, Abby! Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad...Hi, Abby! Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you enjoyed the post no matter how old it is! I'd be more than happy to give my thoughts on your debacle as I spent a lot of time with both species this year, along with many of Spiranthes spp.<br /><br />Chicago lies within a strong overlap of both species ranges so I can imagine them being rather hard to differentiate. Fortunately in Ohio it's mostly range and habitat that can quickly separate the two. S. magnicamporum is rare in Ohio and only grows (as far as I know) in calcareous soiled prairies and meadows (with one record being in a limestone quarry). S. cernua grows in a variety of habitats here but I've only ever seen it in our fen complexes.<br /><br />S. cernua has an all-white flower and throat in all the plants I've ever seen (3 different populations in varying parts of the state) and has little to no noticeable fragrance. S. magnicamporum always exhibits an obvious yellow throat and is extremely fragrant, I can smell them before I see them on occasion. S. cernua also usually has its leaves at antithesis while S. magnicamporum typically does not.<br /><br />Comparing photographs of the two species I took this fall I notice the bottom lip of S. cernua is more fringed than S. magnicamporum. Also the top lip or "hood" of the inflorescence of S. cernua is two-pronged while S. magnicamporum comes to a single point. Maybe that's a phenological difference and only applies from the populations I visit but it's pretty obvious to me.<br /><br />All in all I use habitat, throat color, leaves at antithesis and especially fragrance to separate them. Blooming time is also a factor as the S. cernua in the fens blooms beginning in late August while S. magnicamporum doesn't bloom (where I see it at least) until late September. Hope this helps some!<br /><br />AndrewAndrew Lane Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01555125434346996812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7022216829037318291.post-61207936949444414382011-10-12T04:09:46.953-04:002011-10-12T04:09:46.953-04:00Great post, and beautiful photos! I know this is ...Great post, and beautiful photos! I know this is a rather late comment in relation to when this was posted, but I had a question. Over here near Chicago, I've read that it is essentially impossible to tell apart Spiranthes magnicamporum from S. cernua morphologically (you need seeds or a lab) because S. cernua is so variable. I've read/heard that it can even have all the characteristics of S. magnicamporum (the ascending lateral sepals, the cream to yellow throat, the slightly later flowering time, the lack of leaves at that time, even the smell). I don't have very much experience yet, so I was just wondering if you know of a way to tell them apart in the field? Is there a way that you can tell them apart in Ohio that might not work in Chicago/Indiana? It's frustrating having something that is practically impossible to ID in the field, so I would love to hear your response! Thank you so much.abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01166421364422400271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7022216829037318291.post-19198883289552984982010-10-20T23:39:45.576-04:002010-10-20T23:39:45.576-04:00Thanks, Steve! I read your post about the S. magn...Thanks, Steve! I read your post about the S. magnicamporum you have at Bluejay Barrens. Very neat stuff! Prairie habitat and it's botanical diversity is one of my passions and great interests.Andrew Lane Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01555125434346996812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7022216829037318291.post-90690508574266389412010-10-20T07:35:35.474-04:002010-10-20T07:35:35.474-04:00Sounds like you had a great day at The Edge. Spir...Sounds like you had a great day at The Edge. Spiranthes magnicamporum is one of my favorites. As dry as it's been at The Edge, northern Adams County has been worse. No matter where you walk, woods or prairie, you crunch with every step. I enjoyed your post.Steve Willsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02098584432333519732noreply@blogger.com