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Vick, Albert F. W.

Arethusa bulbosa

Arethusa bulbosa L.

Dragon's Mouth, Swamp Pink

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ARBU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

A smooth stalk bearing 1-3 long, tubular, sheathing, nearly bladeless leaves and topped by 1 bright pink, fragrant flower.

Named for the fountain nymph Arethusa, the flower suggests an animal's open mouth. Its unusual lip petal serves as a platform for insects, especially bumblebees, that enter the flower for nectar and pick up the powdery pollen masses as they leave. (Niering)

From the Image Gallery

13 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule , Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 16 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CT , DC , DE , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , VA , VT , WI
Canada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Saskatchewan east to Newfoundland, south to South Carolina, and north and northwest to Ohio, Illinois, and Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Bogs, swamps, and wet meadows.

Growing Conditions

Soil Moisture: Wet

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Bees
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL				OBL	OBL		OBL	OBL

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA

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

Additional resources

USDA: Find Arethusa bulbosa in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Arethusa bulbosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Arethusa bulbosa

Metadata

Record Modified: 0000-00-00
Research By: TWC Staff

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