Ute Ladies'-tresses Orchid
Plants in this genus are called “ladies’ tresses” for the flowering part of the stem, which looks woven like women’s hairbraids. This species’ former range overlaps with land historically used by the Ute Tribe.
About This Species
Ute ladies' tresses is an orchid that grows in riparian (riverside) areas on both the East and West slopes of Colorado. While this species has a wide range, including several states, there are few places where it can be found; it is federally listed as threatened.
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Physical Characteristics
Arising from tuberous roots, this herbaceous (without woody tissue) orchid grows 7 to 20 inches tall. Long, narrow leaves (0.4 inches wide and 11 inches long) grow from the base of the plant. Stem leaves alternate and decrease in size along the stem. Small white-to-ivory flowers spiral around the inflorescence (the flowering part of a plant), opening from July to September, depending on the location and year. The Ute ladies’-tresses is a perennial, meaning it lives longer than two years.
Range
Ute ladies'-tresses are found in Boulder, Eagle, Garfield, Jefferson, Larimer and Moffat counties in Colorado, as well as Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. This species' elevation range is 4,527 to 7,735 feet.
Habitat
Ute ladies'-tresses grow in floodplains near riparian (riverside) areas as well as moist meadows. They can tolerate both sandy and stony soils, but not dense vegetation.
This species often grows with other species, including horsetail (species in the genus Equisetum), milkweed (species in the genus Asclepias), verbena (species in the genus Verbana), lobelia (species in the genus Lobelia), blue-eyed grass (species in the genus Sisyrinchium), carpet bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), reed grass (species in the genus Calamagrostis), goldenrod (species in the genus Solidago) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense).
Threats to Species
The Ute ladies'-tresses relies on vulnerable wet habitats, making it highly threatened by anything that destroys or modifies these areas, including new water developments, invasive species or inappropriate livestock grazing and recreation. However, because the plant needs open habitats with sparse vegetation, activities like grazing or mowing can be beneficial if timed and managed carefully.