Hans Stieglitz, Wikimedia Commons Contributor
Family
Orchidaceae
Botanical Name
CALOPOGON
Plant Common Name
Grasspink
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
When translated from Greek, the genus name Calopogon means "beautiful beard," alluding to the fuzy tuft on the upper petal (labellum) of its seven-part flowers. Comprising four species, all native to southeastern North America and the West Indies, this is a group of terrestrial (ground-growing) orchid wildflowers. Natural habitats include open soggy woodlands, wet prairies, and seepage slopes.
Members of the Calopogon are colloquially called grasspinks. They grow from underground, bulb-like corms that grow loosely in the soggy bog-soils, often rich in peat. Basal leaves resemble long, thin, ribbed grass blades and grow from the corm. They are easily overlooked when growing among other forbs and grasses.
The flowers contain three petals and three sepals and a large central column club. Unlike other members of the orchid family, the lip or labellum petal in Calopogon is on the top side of the flower face, not the bottom. This flower orientation is referred to as non-resipunate. Blossoms occur in spring and typically display white to pink or rosy-magenta pigmentation. Once an insect pollinator lands on the labellum tuft or beard, the flower folds to deposit pollen on the bug's back. As the hairy bee visits other flowers, the pollen is transferred across many plants.
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
-
Soil type
Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Wet Site
-
Growth Rate
Slow
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Upright/Erect
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Mixed Border, Wildflower
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Self-Sowing
Yes
