Tag Archives: Lady’s Tresses

There is a creek that can be found about a 1/4 or so of the way in from Lighthouse Road. Some years it cascades over the bluff edge creating a beautiful waterfall. Right now it is flowing into a crack in the bluff. The edge creates a nice little pond for Western gulls to take a bath.

Western gulls bathing in a creek at the Lands by Jeanne Jackson

Here is a short clip of the wave action.

Rocks and waves off the Lands by Jeanne Jackson

A strange-looking twisty flower caught my eye. It's not the best photo, but it is Lady's Tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, one of our native orchids. There are several others coming up to join this bluff orchid.

Lady's Tresses by Jeanne JacksonAnd a view of some of the dramatic rocks and bluffs at the Lands, with the Point Arena Lighthouse in the background.

Point Arena-Stornetta Lands by Jeanne JacksonThe Point Arena-Stornetta Lands are a Mendonoma Coast treasure!

Lady's Tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, are members of the Orchid family. They are late-blooming and grow in moist habitats. Diane Hichwa found this orchid and Craig Tooley photographed it.

Lady's Tresses, Sprianthes romanzoffiana, by Craig Tooley

It's called Lady's Tresses because the spiral is thought to remind you of a lady's braided hair. The scientific name of this orchid honors Count Romanzoff. The good count was the Russian patron of botany.

Thanks to Diane for finding this beauty and to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com