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Grass Pink Orchid

Calopogon tuberosus

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Grass Pink Orchid (Calopogon tuberosus)

Grass Pink Orchid is a beautiful native bog orchid that inverts the typical orchid flower structure — its lip is held at the top rather than the bottom of the flower, bearing yellow, orange, and white fringed 'hairs' that mimic pollen-bearing stamens to deceive bees seeking pollen. It grows in sphagnum bogs, wet meadows, and pine flatwoods from Newfoundland to Florida and is one of the more widely distributed native orchids. A single grass-like leaf sheathes the base of the flower stalk. It requires mycorrhizal fungal partners throughout its life.

Habitat
Sphagnum bogs, wet meadows, pine flatwoods, fens
Diet
Pollinated by native bees deceived by false pollen signals on the lip; no food reward offered
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Grass Pink Orchid

The best time to see a Grass Pink Orchid is June–July, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,120 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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