Calopogon tuberosus, the tuberous grass pink, is an orchid native to eastern North America. It is a perennial forb.
Description The main identifying features of C. tuberosus are the species' prominent hairs positioned on the lip of a petal (sometimes referred to as "the Beard") and the smell produced by the flower.
Individuals have one (occasionally two) linear basal leaves. Flowers are magenta, pink, or rarely white in color, and the middle petal is distinctively oblong-elliptic in shape. The flowers of C. tuberosus have a labellum which faces upwards, a trait fairly uncommon among orchids called non-resupination. The average maximum root depth has been found to be 7 centimeters (approximately 2.75 inches).Brackley, F. E. (1985). "The Orchids of New Hampshire." Rhodora 87(849): 1-117.
Distribution and habitat In the United States, it occurs from as far southwest as Texas and Oklahoma and southeast to the Florida Everglades to as far northeast as Maine and as far northwest as Minnesota. In Canada, it is found in all provinces from Newfoundland to Manitoba. It also is found in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Cuba and the Bahamas.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
From April to September, C. tuberosus may be found in habitats such as sandhill seeps, floating peat mats, and savannas.Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-atlantic states. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It may also be found in habitats such as fens, bogs, pine flatwoods, and marl prairies.
Ecology C. tuberosus is pollinated by bumblebees despite a lack of nectar incentive. Bumblebees, while looking for nonexistent nectar, weigh down the hinged lip causing the bee to be moved into contact with the pollinarium. The pollinarium is sticky and then can be flown by the bee to pollinate another orchid.
Subspecies Calopogon tuberosus var. simpsonii (Small) Magrath Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus
Conservation status It is listed as "G5 - Secure" under the NatureServe conservation status system. However it is listed as an endangered species by the states of Illinois, Kentucky, and Maryland, and as exploitably vulnerable by New York.
References
External links
Go Orchids, North American Orchids Conservation Center Calopogon tuberosus gallery link Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas Orchids of Wisconsin Florida's Native and Naturalized Orchids
Missouri Plants, photo Paul Smith's College, College of the Adirondacks, Visitor's Interpretive Center Ontario Wildflowers