Spiranthes cernua

The name “Spiranthes” comes from the Greek words “spir” meaning “coiled” and “anthes” meaning “flowers,” and this name refers to the spiral shape of the inflorescence.  The species name “cernua” means “nodding,” in reference to the flowers being prominently arched downward.  The many species in the Spiranthes genus are difficult to distinguish from one another.