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Spiranthes Reproduction
Loughs Cullin and Conn: The Spiranthes in mind is Spiranthes
romanzoffiana, a rare but very well represented Orchid here in these lakes in
mid Summer.
NB
To ENLARGE an Image CLICK
where you see this symbol.
WildWest.ie has just completed another exhaustive survey of 3 of the
major lakes in Mayo for the abundance and distribution of Spiranthes
romanzoffiana in this region. The Results to date are 660 living plants.
So where do old plants and new plant come from? Spiranthes romanzoffiana has two ways to survive, vegetative reproduction at a local level where a plant generates another stem (i.e lateral bud) which is initially an offshoot from the parent plant but then goes on to develop roots, a new flowering stem in the following year and then a clump of up to 4 flowering spikes all flowering and capable of reproduction. New Plants originate from seed. This can come from either Irish plants (rare!) or from wind-borne stocks from other countries. i.e. USA and Canada.). Such seed sown plans can be recognised by an occurrence reflecting water placement. i.e. a circular pattern suggesting either a small pool or a curved linear pattern (parallel to and existing coast where the species occurs.
Pyramid
Pointy
Spiranthes Reproduction study.
Because of an exceptional dry Summer and Autumn, we are taking the opportunity to further investigate the renewal of this orchid population. Firstly, this will be done by observing maturation of flowering, seed pod formation, closure of ovaries and the development of bands around the ovary to facilitate ‘springing’ of the seeds, etc. This is all assuming that our ‘Indian Summer’ continues a bit longer?Photo Gallery of Developing Ovaries in S. romanzoffiana at L. Cullin
Each island is listed in Roman Numerals and the number (1 - 3) of suitable flowering/seeding specimens used for study are listed as Specimens 1 -10. Benign weather conditions enabled us to gather 5 images for each of the 10 specimens studied. The persisting long Indian Summer gave us access to all specimens until early October — a very unusual event in west Mayo! Don’t be alarmed at the small size of the initial Images; you may be able to set your monitor to a larger display but a much bigger version of Column 5 Images is available at the Click of a Mouse, as indicated by the Hand Lens symbol on those images!Commencement of Data collection 2022
The Spiranthes Reproduction project and the beginning of the collection of Data (Photographic) started on the 28th August and we estimate it will continue until early October — or as long as the weather stays dry. We are defining specific habitats and within them 1 or more Spiranthes worth observing.
West
Bounty
Reedy
Specimen 2: Pirri
III. West Island
Located to the west of Pointy island and southwest of Pyramid (see image at top). The Specimen is on the south side of the island. This is a small island with grass, herbs and small Myrtle bushes with little grassy outcrops to west
and south. This island has four other Spiranthes, ‘Westie’ was chosen as it had better development of ovaries, which were a very glossy green with strong ridges as can be seen in Image 1 (BELOW).
IV. Bounty Island
Larger, oval shaped island SSW of Pyramid. This has good grass, Myrtle and rush/reed cover with 13 Spiranthes plants scattered around the island. 3 specimens have been selected from Bounty Island Fletch, Pitcairn and Christy
(Please forgive the quirkiness!). Fletch is on the north side, near the edge and slightly east of centre line. Capsules are fairly big, developing good ridges.
Specimen 7: Lou
V. Reedy Island
Bigger island than Bounty Island; Vegetation is fairly high, many reeds, but only two Spiranthes were found growing here. The first specimen, ‘Lou’ is on the northeast side. The flowers were nearly all withered, but the ovaries were
a very glossy green and had strong ridges (‘seams’ where seeds will burst out when ripe). There was a pronounced bulge between ovary and remains of flower, perhaps a good indication that the capsule is developing seeds.
Specimen 9: Banksy
VI. Highbank Island
Large ‘island’ extending towards the west of the site, and towards the fenced boundary between beach and adjoining field, which is usually grazed by cattle. Banksy is growing on the northern side of this island, about 1m in from
the edge of the bank. Betty is on the Southwest of the island.
II. Pyramid Island
Pyramid Island is a very well marked location with a pyramidal erratic forming the shield behind which a large sandbank/island has developed over the past 10 years. Now overgrown, there was only one noteworthy Spiranthes to
be studied. In line with our naming strategy, we have named all specimens after their ‘home’. This makes it much easier to identify a plant over, perhaps, 2 months as it goes into its reproductive phase.
Specimen 6: Christy
Highbank
Strategy
Hoping for a late Autumn we have sought to identify all Spiranthes from all locations that are showing various features of the changes that occur to Spiranthes flowers at this time of year. This involved recognising habitats that would not flood when modest rain comes and which can be accessible at all stages up to complete flooding. It is hard to believe that the picture we reproduce BELOW will be flooded to the tip of the islands and the tree-lined shore in the background. But, Hey, we are watching the Water Level Record on a daily basis and we can know when to drop everything and head west.
If you are out-and-about around Loughs Conn and Cullin and happen to come across any surviving Irish Ladies Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) do see if you
can identify any seeds emerging from bulging striped ovaries, or small stems emerging beside existing plants… do let us know using the Contact US facility ABOVE
28th August
Pirri is a strong
plant with most
flowers looking
fertile. All capsules
are sealed tight but
with longitudinal
bands clearly
visible.
These 3 bands are
seen as ridges
running up the
height of the ovary.
They have a role
later in causing the
capsule to split
open and thus
release the seeds…
3rd September
Capsules remain
intact and sturdy
with no sign of
splitting. The zone
between the
capsule and the
old flower is
distinct at ‘shear
zones’ where the
living tissue is
separated from
the dead tissue.
The flowers wither
and die but the
rest of the plant
remains strong
and healthy.
12th September
Capsules larger,
especially halfway
up the flowering
spike. Lower
capsules are not
developing well
and may die? The
white collar
between capsule
and bottom of the
flower is less
distinct colour-
wise and a sharp
kink forms below
the old flower
giving the
appearance of a
‘pot belly’.
Specimen 1: Pointy
28th August
A very small
plant with 3
flowers at top
with c.6 capsules
(pods) develop-
ing ridges.
Growing in an
exposed area and
being alone on this
island, this plant
may have dried
out earlier or be in
a less fertile
substrate. The 4th
image in this row
shows how small
and weak this
specimen was.
3rd September
Pointy was thriving
at this stage with
10 or more
capsules fertilised
and growing,
protected by the
bracts which seem
to have a role in
keeping the
developing ovaries
and capsules safe.
The shear zones
have turned white
and the flower
remnants are
losing nutrients
and drying up.
12th September
This plant is
developing quickly
in an unusual and
hot September
morn.
For some reason
(early fertilisation?)
1 or 2 of the
capsules have
opened up and
some seeds have
been released with
some still visible
through the split on
the brown capsule.
Other capsules
above and below
are still intact.
Specimen3: Westie
Specimen 4: Fletch
28th August
This is our first
plant from Bounty
Island — chosen
for its large
capsules. Because
of the long
Summer, plants
were flowering
over a longer
period; this is one
of the later
flowering
Spiranthes on
Drummin Strand
with only lower
capsules starting
to enlarge.
Specimen 5: Pitcairn
28th August
This is Olli, the
second specimen
from Reedy Island,
growing at the
edge of reeds and
looking a bit
vulnerable and
exposed. It will be
the first to be
flooded as water
levels rise at L.
Cullin
It was a sturdy
plant with many
dark green
developing
capsules showing
at this time.
3rd September
Flowers are
closing down but
the rest of the
plant remains
strong with the
white zone
kinking in the
process of
shedding the
now redundant
flowers that were
so spectacular in
early August.
Capsules are
expanding but
still remain intact
and seeds are
not yet ready to
be released
18th September
A large view of this
image shows that
the vertical bands
are lifting off the
body of the
capsule which
prepares it for
seeding. One band
(2nd from bottom)
has started to dry
out with a view to
splitting the
capsule.
All nodes (as indic-
ated by the bracts)
show capsules one
can expect to open
in a week or two…
Specimen 10: Betty
28th August
Green stems at this
time of year marks
the loss of flowers
but active growth in
capsule change and
maturation.
These plants are
very much alive in
this phase, though
many flowers are
withering.
Lower bracts are
falling away but the
upper bracts are
very close to their
developing
capsules.
3rd September
Early stage in the
loss of flowers
starts with the
distinctive white
band between old
and new organs.
When this band
appears the
flowers rapidly
wither but the
pod remains
healthy and well
nourished.
It is wonderful to
observe these
changes and the
steps to final seed
release.
12th September
All flowers are now
brow, revealing the
ever more bent
shear zone and the
dead flower attach-
ed —but now totally
withered.
Capsules are sturdy
with clearly develop-
ed bands or ridges
not yet brown. This
was a late flowering
specimen.
Bracts shelter
capsules at the top
of the flower but
drooped at the
fatter lower pods.
12th September
A fuller view of
Banksy’s flowering
head shows almost
every axillary niche
has led to a develop-
ing seed pod.
This is satisfying as
in our survey work
Bees and other
fertilisers were
notably scarce. The
weather was hot
and insects may
have flown later in
the evening. (Most
of our work was
around midday!)
24th September
In this section of
stem several pods
are now cracking
open and able to
release seed. The
stem is sturdy and
dark green; a
healthy sign but
weather and light
also plays a role.
These ovaries
have matured
and the capsules
are brown with 1
or 2 pods starting
to split open… yet
more rare plants
for us to cherish!
28th August
Poor little Betty who
struggled in life but
finally was fruitful.
This first
photograph showed
many well filled
capsules with this
specimen ahead of
many other
specimens in this
review.
This specimen was
a very delicate plant
at first but
recovered well
during the season.
3rd September
A week later and
little has changed.
This was during a
very dry period
when Irish
weather would
normally be
cooler and wetter
with Autumn rain.
Despite lack of
rain these plants
seemed well
hydrated and
may have been
getting water in
evening mists or
from close
underground.
12th September
Betty seems to be
stretching and
growing but — as
seen in other plants
— it may be a
period of intensive
seed production.
The numbers of
seeds these plants
create, the majority
of which are fertile,
is incredible; it
seems that there
may be a lull at this
time when activity is
restricted within the
tightly sealed
capsules?
18th September
The specimen now
looks more mature
with variation in
the size of the
capsules, some
more bulbous than
others, all swelling
and enlarging .
What was a weakly
plant seems to
have grown
stronger as the
seeds mature.
Spiranthes are
perennial plants so
this specimen may
recover and flower
again next year?
Location
The area Below is the NW corner of a Drummin Bay near where the low water level (0.34m) dries out a large area of flat sand with many islands and rocks and reeds on most of the waters edge where the depth is sufficient for these to survive… The large Image is part of one single photograph which conveniently defines most of the locations of the Study Area in Drummin Bay. The HIGHBANK image (Left) is a separate image placed roughly where the sandbank is located relative to the other 5 sites. This gives an overall geographic view of the habitat and the location (using Names) of where the study specimens occur. The names in order are Pointy, Pyramid, West, Bounty, Reedy and Highbank. Each island has its own individual or group of selected orchids. This makes it easier for us to locate maturing Orchids for photographing and monitoring their changing condition of maturing Ovaries and Seeds and then, later, recording the presence or absence of lateral buds — this species’ way of vegetative reproduction.
I. Pointy Island
Pointy Island is a slightly raised area between rocky islands in the bay and reed beds to the East with patchy grass, no bushes or reeds. It is located about 3m to the south of Pyramid Island. Specimen ‘Pointy’ is growing on the
south side. The specimen selected was an example of a small scattering of single orchids growing on their own on dry flat exposed sandy areas throughout the Bay. NB:All images are of the same plant BUT on different days.
18th September
LEFT: Quite a
change in 6 days
with most of the
capsules split
open along the
line of the ridges
which bind the
ovary together
and then seem to
explode as the
bands dry out and
separate from the
barrel like capsule.
18th September
Three strong
ridges are clear on
all fertile ovaries
on the flower
spike.
The specimen
remains strong
with good growth
on the plant and
capsules, with the
evident pressure
of the developing
seeds inside the
capsules — but no
bands lifting or
pulling the ‘seed
barrel’ apart just
yet.
24th September
6 days later and
‘Pirri’ has started
to dry up and the
seed capsules
have become
brittle.
The 3 bands
holding the ovaries
together are now
brittle and as they
dry out they open
up the pods along
weak zones under
the bands allowing
seeds to spill out…
Seeds can now
blow or fall away.
24th September
The same ovary
6 days later in
close-up, showing
important
elements in the
reproduction of
this species,
ovary, seed bed
and seeds.
The capsule is in
tatters with the 3
parts resembling
staves on a barrel
falling apart as
the ‘barrel’ falls
open.
28th August
Westie is a very
sturdy plant with
densely packed
whorls of flowers,
now seed pods.
This plant clearly
shows the spiral
pattern from which
Spiranthes gets its
name. At this stage
the capsules are
packed tight
together.
Still flowering at
the top, all the
lower ovaries are
fertile and swelling
with seeds.
3rd September
Taken from a
different angle this
shows the amount
of capsules some
Spiranthes can
produce and the
vast numbers of
fertile seeds that
plants can
distribute in a long
season.
Due to a warm dry
Summer and a
moist strand area,
many specimens
are also still in
flower as lower
buds continue to
grow their seeds.
12th September
9 days later and
the action has
turned to the upper
plant with no
flowers blooming
and upper capsules
now also fertilised.
The vast majority of
plants examined
seem to have fertile
capsules now!
Lower capsules are
static as the upper
capsules flourish.
But all have brown
‘beards’ marking an
end to flowering.
18th September
Most nutrition
seems to go to the
top of the plant as
lower seed pods
remain tight and
green, possibly
indicating a delay
in seed growth?
However, the
upper capsules
are strong and
turgid with 1 or 2
capsules starting
the process of
hardening up and
then cracking
along longitudinal
bands.
24th September
Westie is a very
fecund plant with
signs of all
capsules maturing
along the length of
the flower.
Most of the seed
pods have now
burst open with the
bands arching
above capsules
and ‘tearing them
apart’.
Large bundles of
seeds, and some
loose ones can be
seen in the lower
part of this image.
3rd September
Six days later we
want to show the
full flowering head
where more of the
flowers have
withered.
On the lower part
of the stem the
capsules are all
thickening up and
looking very fertile.
12th September
The interesting
thing about this
image is that the
flowering elements
(petals and sepals)
are being discard-
ed at most points
on the stem where
the old flowers are
brown and dying.
Above the white
‘shear’ zone flowers
are dying. Below
this, the capsules
are strong and
green and full of
developing seeds!
24th September
Eventually the
flowers have all
been replaced with
swelling capsules
This is a good
example of a plant
growing strongly
after flowering. All
or most of the
ovaries seem to be
active but, as yet,
none of the
capsules are ready
to release seeds.
2nd October
This view of Fletch
was taken from the
opposite side to
the previous
image. These
orchids often
adopt a spiral
image, others may
have 3 rows of
flowers more or
less un-rotated.
This last view of
this plant shows
more bracts but
the lower capsules
are opening and
starting to release
seeds.
28th August
The top of Pitcairn
is still in flower but
below this it seems
as if there was a
sudden transfer of
‘sap’ from the
flower to the ovary.
Is this a distinct
function of the
‘white collar’
developing at this
time between the
dying flower and
the thriving caps-
ule? This feature is
visible on nearly all
images in 2nd and
3rd columns!
3rd September
Another view , 6
days later, of this
specimen showing
how the seed
capsules remain
very well
nourished.
As the flowers die
they droop and a
pronounced
downward kink
develops which
seems to be an aid
in sealing off the
capsules below.
Its location is on
the south side of
Bounty Island.
12th September
Little change on
Pitcairn after a
significant dry
period. Apart from
the flowers at the
top, all other
flowers have
drooped.
Capsule bands are
not as prominent
yet, as on other
specimens and all
capsules remain
green. This may be
a slow developing
specimen perhaps
affected by
drought?
18th September
All flowers closed
down — but very
active support for
bracts, capsules
(some ripening)
and stem.
We have never
(over 16 years of
studying this plant)
seen so many
orchids surviving
so well into late
September. They
are usually flooded
by this stage and
that diminishes
any chances of
releasing seed.
24th September
Such a change in 6
days; numerous
capsules on this
specimen now open
with capsule bands
lifting off the seed
pods and abundant
seeds now visible
inside and on other
parts of the plant.
(ENLARGE to see)
All these images are
taken without
touching the plant
and any seeds
examined are loose
seeds.
Column 5: RIGHT
ENLARGE these
Images to see
further detail.
28th August
Christy, the third
specimen on
Bounty Island is a
tall plant with a
few flowers at its
top. Below this,
there are about 20
elongated capsules
developing which
are quite tall and
strong.
This plant is
growing on the
south west side of
Bounty Island. We
hope to find it here
again next year?
3rd September
The flowers of this
specimen are now
all withered with
each one beginning
to show a ‘kink’
between flower
and capsule.
The ridges, or
bands, are not very
evident yet,
especially on the
lower part of this
plant.
12th September
The long capsules
are developing
good raised ridges,
where the capsule
will burst open
when fully ripe. The
capsules all appear
to be quite tightly
tucked in along the
length of the stem,
Soldier like, and
have a green bract
to shelter them. If
they had been
more spaced out,
would capsule
development have
been poorer?
18th September
A view of the full
plant showing the
many capsules
developing well…
perhaps not quite
as advanced as
some other
specimens.
2nd October
Our last visit to
Drummin Bay, and
Christy still has its
tight formation
along the stem.
Most capsules have
now split open and
seeds can be seen
inside. Seeds lodge
on the sheltering
bracts, old flowers,
other capsules, etc.
These seeds can
be seen by loading
the large file or by
viewing with a
Monitor set to
500% view
28th August
The ideal time for
observing these
plants in Ireland is
mid-July to mid-
August.
For the purpose of
this reproductive
study the end of
August and all of
September are key
periods.
All Irish Spiranthes
occur around lakes;
In many years of
observation such a
long dry Autumn
period is very rare.
3rd September
Another tall
straight well
formed Spiranthes
as can be seen
from the last
column.
Lou is producing
many capsules
each with its
protective bract.
Change is slow at
this time but the
initial fertilising
and formation of
a seed capsule is
proceeding into a
mature but
healthy plant
12th September
The lowest ovary
has a‘kinked’
pattern seen in
strong specimens.
Perhaps it’s due to
pressure of the
bulging capsule
and a prerequisite
to cutting off
nutrients to
flowers? Directly
above this there is
a split capsule with
seeds inside. Along
with Pointy, this is
the earliest we
have seen split
capsules & seeds!
18th September
Concerns about
fertilisation do not
seem to be real
and this plant has
many ovaries that
appear to be
fertilised and
developing well.
Sometimes the
lower capsules can
be slower to
develop than the
upper ones but
these seed pods
catch up as flower-
ing terminates and
all appear to ripen
together.
2nd October
The last visit was
delayed until today
as we wanted to
see how much of a
large spike would
be productive.
This image does
show many
opening pods and
abundant seed
within them
probably ready for
release onto the
ground, or into the
air (where they can
travel huge
distances), or into
water.
Specimen 8: Olli
24th September
Like the specimen
above, Lou, a
week’s wait has
worked wonders
and all capsules
are mature, brown
in colour, released
from their braces
and shedding seed
through the 3 slits
in most of the
capsules.
Seeds are now
visible on seed
beds within the
capsules. Use full
magnification to
show this!
2nd October
Vast numbers of
seeds are released
in L. Cullin/Conn.
These seeds may
land on dry sand,
gentle flooding
allowing access to
richer soils below,
creating a soft bed
where they can
interact with
funguses to trigger
the seeds to
develop a strong
underground ‘root’
below from which
future Spiranthes
may spring…
24th September
Betty has matured
and released seeds
from some of the
lower capsules, if
not all.
It has become very
ragged and the
whole above-ground
plant may now
wither and seem to
die.
But these orchids
can grow again over
many years
emerging from the
root or vegetative
lateral bud which
grows alongside…
NB. The Red Dates are used to indicate that the date of a particular
Image is different from the normal date for that particular column.
NEXT STEP: Can we track Seed Release at L. Cullin?
This concludes our review of sexual fertility and fecundity in the orchid, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, at a site in the NE corner of Lough Cullin, Co. Mayo. It has been an inspiring task and we often thought it would be impossible to complete mainly due to the normal flooding of these orchid beds in August and September — not to mention October. The site has remained totally available and accessible until the 7th October. At the time of writing (Oct 21, 2022) water level at Lough Cullin has risen over 4 days of rain to 0.499m above the long Summer low water level. This will have flooded all the study area which, fortunately, we had fully surveyed on the 2nd of October. Very large amounts of seed will have been dispersed into the water at L. Cullin and it will be interesting to see what affect this will have on Spiranthes numbers in years to come… all being well! Of course Spiranthes has another system of reproduction which does not involve fertilsation. It is called ‘lateral budding’ whereby a plant produces another stem parallel and attached to an established plant. Up to 3 lateral buds may develop and they will survive over the Winter even if flooded. They develop as separate plants in the following year and may or may not flower. This explains small cluster of up to 4 plants. The majority of established Spiranthes generate lateral buds usually in September. This is a very important means by which an established colony can reproduce, expand and replace maturing specimens after a life span of 4 or more years. Plants appearing unexpectedly in areas not known for the occurrence of S. romanzoffiana can normally be attributed to wind borne seed.Viewing and Sizing:
Ten plants have been selected as specimens based on their appearance and location in mid July. Each of these has been photographed over 21/2 months and are shown above in regular columns and dates; occasionally this date is changed in which case the date of the actual photograph is listed in Red. This task seemed impossible and we were dubious of success but we have made it… If you wish to interrogate the data displayed above, we strongly advise using a medium sized monitor (1400px plus) and a competent computer. But OUR PROJECT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL; Irish Lady’s Tresses are producing and releasing fertilised seeds very widely in the air, water and shorelines of L. Cullin and (by assumption) L. Conn and Levally Lough.Bearing Seeds
Since upgrading the large pictorial survey of maturing Spiranthes flowers (ABOVE) we have noticed a lot of seeds in the 5th column (24 Sept- 2nd Oct) of that survey. All spikes are by that stage fully mature and starting to die. All the images in that column show split capsules with many seeds packed along seeding beds and others flowing out in the wind and landing on Spiranthes, other seed pods, leaves or bracts, as well as on occasional smooth pebbles nearby. Also, amazingly, in a mild breeze and bright sunshine individual seeds have been seeing drifting away from the ‘mother’ plant. This was achieved using a large hand held lens. It reminds us of another orchid, the Broad-leave Helleborine which regular released large numbers of seeds readily visible in the right conditions and dispersing in the bright sunshine. These seeds are, of course, a lot bigger than the Spiranthes seeds. To confirm that the seeds seen in L. Cullin are fertile we collected some shed seeds from around the specimens. The particular plant we watched shedding was not one of our study specimens but was from The Nursery, Car Park 1, north of Foxford. Here there is a dense fertile colony sharing their space with busy Summer holiday makers. They have shared the indignity of grass cutting, having tents put on top of them, and many families rightly enjoying the beautiful place. None of them noticed the Spiranthes and we didn’t tell many about them; they survived miraculously well. Some were flattened and squashed but they recovered by curving the shoot upwards and continuing to grow. One of these specimens was busy releasing a haze of seeds in a steady breeze. Interestingly, bearing in mind our theory that seeds of this species may travel from North America, these seeds showed no tendency to drop to the ground and flowed away in the open air with a light breeze. It was easy to collect some of these seeds by placing a small plastic sample jar near the plant or hanging a sterile piece of clear plastic in their path, or simply collecting fallen seeds below the capsule from which they were pouring. This way the plants weren’t interfered with and valuable data was collected.
In late September seeds were seen floating free
from the plants and were collected and
photographed through a microscope for the
purpose of confirming if the seeds were viable.
Conclusion:
666 specimens were found and recorded. Some
of these were damaged; many survived in a
remarkable fashion. e.g. the lakeside Playground
on the North East shore of L. Cullin. The vast
majority of these flowered and, after a short
delay, many went on to produce copious seed
pods.
In September/early October these pods were
seen to split open (See above Panel, column 5)
and release seed.
These seeds were largely vibrant as indicated by
the presence and growth of the seed nucleus, the
yellow object in the images RIGHT
S. romanzoffiana Seed Images… RIGHT
This years project started with counting and mapping plants as they were found around the 3 lakes of Conn, Cullin and Levally. Subsequently we took many close up photographs of the maturing flowers to see if seed were being produced and dispersed.
