Calopogon, Genus, tuberosus, Species,
- Genus & species
tuberous grasspink
Overview
Calopogon tuberosus is a terrestrial orchid of eastern North American wetlands, growing from an underground corm. A single grass-like leaf 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) long rises from the base, and a slender flowering stalk 1-4 feet (30-120 cm) tall carries a loose raceme of 2-15 flowers in early to mid summer. Each flower is about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across and pink to magenta, opening from the bottom of the spike upward. Unlike most orchids, the flower is held with the lip uppermost, and that lip bears a crest of yellow, club-tipped hairs that mimic pollen-bearing stamens. Bees land on the false anthers expecting pollen, the hinged lip tips them onto the column, and pollen is transferred, though the flower gives no actual reward. It grows in acidic bogs, wet meadows, fens, and pine savannas from Canada south through the eastern United States, in soils that stay wet and sunlit. It requires constant moisture, acidic peaty soil, and open sun, and it declines under shade or drying. Foliage dies back in autumn, and the corm overwinters dormant. In cultivation it persists where constant bog conditions are maintained.
Native Range
Calopogon tuberosus is native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland and the Great Lakes south to Florida and Texas, and into the Caribbean. It grows in acidic bogs, fens, wet meadows, and pine savannas that stay moist and sunny.Suggested Uses
Calopogon tuberosus is used in bog gardens, container bogs, and constantly wet pond margins alongside other acid-loving wetland plants. It is planted 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) apart in groups. It suits only permanently wet, sunny, acidic sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink to magentaFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Calopogon tuberosus grows in constantly wet, acidic, peaty or sandy soil in full sun to light shade, in bog gardens, container bogs, and the wet margins of ponds. It needs year-round moisture and acidic conditions and declines in shade, drought, or alkaline soil. It is grown in a peat-and-sand mix kept saturated, often in a pot standing in a tray of water. No standard fertilizer is used, as the roots are sensitive to mineral salts. Foliage dies back in autumn, and the dormant corm is kept cool and moist through winter. It is hardy across USDA zones 3-9 where bog conditions are maintained.Pruning
Calopogon tuberosus needs no pruning. The spent flowering stalk can be cut after bloom, and the yellowing leaf left until it dies back naturally in autumn. The dormant corm is left undisturbed in its wet medium over winter.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons