A genus of plants in the orchid family, commonly known as spiral ladies'-tresses, characterized by spirally-twisted flower spikes.
From Greek gyros 'circle' and stachys 'ear of grain' (referring to the spike-like flower cluster). This botanical genus name describes the distinctive spiral arrangement of flowers along the stem.
Lady's-tresses orchids spiral their flowers in such a perfect helical pattern that they inspired mathematicians—nature's geometry is so precise it became part of mathematics education.
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