Also 6–9 lady, ladies traces, lady’s traces. Name for the plants of the genus Spiranthes (N.O. Orchidaceæ); also locally applied to grasses of the genus Briza.
1548. Turner, Names of Herbes, 70. Satyrion … bryngeth furth whyte floures in the ende of harueste, and it is called Lady traces.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, II. lvi. 222. The sweete Orchis, or Ladie traces are moste commonly to be found in high, untilled, and dry places.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, I. cii. 168. Friezland Ladie traces hath two small round stones or bulbes.
1611. Cotgr., Satyrion à trois couillons, Triple Orchis, or triple Ladies traces.
1794. Martyn, Rousseau’s Bot., xxvii. 419. The spiral Ophrys commonly called Triple Ladies’ Traces.
1842. C. W. Johnson, Farmer’s Encycl., Briza media, common quaking grass; ladies’ tresses.
1848. C. A. Johns, Week at Lizard, 310. Neottia spiralis, Lady’s tresses, an orchideous plant about six inches high.
