It’s Spiranthes season! These local native orchids are part of a species complex known to interbreed, so who knows what “species” they are. you can just stick with their common name, ladies’ tresses.
I found these in bloom, days apart, at a lakefront dune ecosystem in South Shore neighborhood, and a vacant post-industrial lot in Vet’s Park neighborhood. which are which?
You can find hundreds and hundreds in bloom on the South Side of Chicago and the South Suburbs – if you know where to look.

…brought to you by your local natural area OR vacant post-industrial flydumping slag parcel.