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Calopogon tuberosus
Calopogon tuberosus (L.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.
Tuberous Grasspink, Grass Pink
Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CATU5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
Calopogon comes from the Greek words meaning "beautiful beard." The prominent hairs, the beard, on the lip identify it. This species is a plant of moist areas and is most abundant in pineland bogs. It is known as Grass Pink because of the long, narrow, grass-like leaves. It grows 2 1/2-4 feet tall, with 2 or more flowers arranged along the stem. The blossoms are rose-pink to pale orchid and are about 2 inches across (248).
This delicate, sweet-smelling orchid often springs from peat or sphagnum moss and is easily recognized by the bearded lip petal and solitary, grass-like leaf. Its genus name is derived from the Greek for "beautiful beard," and the species name is Latin for "tuberous." The former species, C. pulchellus, is now considered a variety, C. tuberosus var. tuberosus. Bearded Grass Pink (C. barbatus), found from North Carolina southward, has pink flowers that all open together, whereas the flowers of C. tuberosus open successively. Pale Grass Pink (C. pallidus), found from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Louisiana, has pale pink to whitish flowers and is smaller in all respects than C. tuberosus.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PinkBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Manitoba east to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Bogs and bog meadows and acidic, sandy or gravelly sites.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | FACW | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.2 - Wildflower Network Operates in Louisiana, Wildflower Handbook Published, Researc...Additional resources
USDA: Find Calopogon tuberosus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Calopogon tuberosus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calopogon tuberosus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-24Research By: TWC Staff