Neottia gracilis Bigelow, Fl. Boston ed. 2, 322. 1824; Ibidium beckii (Lindley) House; I. gracile (Bigelow) House; Spiranthes beckii Lindley; S. gracilis (Bigelow) Beck

Leaves usually absent at anthesis. Inflorescences loosely to very tightly spiraled, sometimes secund, flowers approximate, mostly without distinct space between proximal flowers (ratio of spike length/flower number less than 2.3), glabrous. Flowers: lip 4–7.5 mm, rounded at apex; central portion green with clearly defined, broad crisp white apron. 2n = 30.

Flowering Jul--Oct(--Nov). Dry to moist meadows, prairies, barrens, open woods, dunes, old fields, roadsides, cemeteries, lawns; 0--1100 m; N.S., Ont.; Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mo., Ohio, Okla., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis.

Hybrids of Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis with S. vernalis are known as Spiranthes × intermedia Ames.