Spiranthes parksii
Encyclopedia
Spiranthes parksii is an endangered species
of orchid endemic to Texas
, United States
. The flower was first discovered in 1945 and was first described by Donovan Stewart Correll in his 1950 book, Native Orchids of North America North of Mexico. Navasota ladies'-tresses was listed as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) in May 1982. The decline of the plant is mostly due to loss of habitat from human encroachment and activity.
Spiranthes parksii is a slender-stemmed perennial, 8–15 in (203.2–381 mm) tall. Leaves are long and thin and found mostly near the ground level, but usually disappear when the flower buds. Flowers petals are round or oval and off-white in color. The flowers typically spiral up the stem. Conspicuously white-tipped bracts occur underneath each 1/4 in flower. The side petals have a green central stripe, and the lip (bottom petal) is distinctly ragged.
Navasota ladies-tresses are found in the forests and prairies of east-central Texas usually along creeks
in the Brazos
and Navasota River
watersheds
. In 1982, when the species was listed as endangered, only two populations were believed to exist both in Brazos County
. Since then, biologists have identified the species in Bastrop
, Burleson, Fayette
, Freestone
, Grimes, Jasper, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson, and Washington Counties.
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
of orchid endemic to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The flower was first discovered in 1945 and was first described by Donovan Stewart Correll in his 1950 book, Native Orchids of North America North of Mexico. Navasota ladies'-tresses was listed as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
(USFWS) in May 1982. The decline of the plant is mostly due to loss of habitat from human encroachment and activity.
Spiranthes parksii is a slender-stemmed perennial, 8–15 in (203.2–381 mm) tall. Leaves are long and thin and found mostly near the ground level, but usually disappear when the flower buds. Flowers petals are round or oval and off-white in color. The flowers typically spiral up the stem. Conspicuously white-tipped bracts occur underneath each 1/4 in flower. The side petals have a green central stripe, and the lip (bottom petal) is distinctly ragged.
Navasota ladies-tresses are found in the forests and prairies of east-central Texas usually along creeks
Stream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
in the Brazos
Brazos River
The Brazos River, called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers , is the longest river in Texas and the 11th longest river in the United States at from its source at the head of Blackwater Draw, Curry County, New Mexico to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico with a drainage...
and Navasota River
Navasota River
The Navasota River is a river in east Texas, USA. It is about 125 miles long, beginning near Mount Calm and flowing south into the Brazos River at a point where Brazos County, Grimes County, and Washington County meet.-Name:...
watersheds
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
. In 1982, when the species was listed as endangered, only two populations were believed to exist both in Brazos County
Brazos County, Texas
Brazos County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas in the Central Texas region. In 2010, its population was 194,851. The county seat is Bryan and it is part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area. Brazos is named for the Brazos River, along with Brazoria...
. Since then, biologists have identified the species in Bastrop
Bastrop County, Texas
Bastrop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2006, the population was 71,700. Its county seat is Bastrop. Bastrop County is named for Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop , an early Dutch settler who assisted Stephen F...
, Burleson, Fayette
Fayette County, Texas
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 21,804. Its county seat is La Grange. Fayette is named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War hero...
, Freestone
Freestone County, Texas
Freestone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 17,867. Its county seat is Fairfield.-Geography:...
, Grimes, Jasper, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson, and Washington Counties.