# Rose Pogonia (*Pogonia ophioglossoides*) The Rose Pogonia is a beautiful flower that grows in wetlands. It has lovely pink petals and a sweet smell that attracts butterflies and bees. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Rose Pogonia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pogonia_ophioglossoides_Orchi_01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Orchi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pogonia_ophioglossoides_Orchi_01.jpg) ## Appearance The Rose Pogonia is a striking orchid with a single, rose-purple flower. Its distinctive fringed lip, spotted with yellow and sometimes white hairs, gives it a 'snake mouth' appearance. The flower stands out against its simple, solitary green leaf. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Orchidaceae - **Genus:** Pogonia ## Interesting facts - Each plant usually produces only one beautiful flower, making each bloom precious! - It often blooms alongside vibrant pitcher plants in its boggy, wetland home. - Rose Pogonia flowers often mimic the appearance of nectar-rich blooms to attract bees. - This orchid gets its 'Snake Mouth' nickname from its unique, open lip! ## Special abilities - **Sweet Scent Deceiver:** Rose Pogonia can emit a sweet fragrance to lure bees, but offers no nectar, tricking them into pollinating it. - **Wetland Wanderer:** Rose Pogonia has roots adapted to thrive in acidic, waterlogged soils, allowing it to grow where few other plants can. - **Fungal Friend:** Rose Pogonia depends on special fungi underground to help it absorb nutrients, especially when young. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-40 cm - **Spread:** 5-10 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to mid-summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Attracted by its scent, helps flowers reproduce. - **Pollinates:** Two-spotted Bumblebee (*Bombus bimaculatus*) — Visits flowers, aiding in pollen transfer. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on wetland vegetation, including orchids. ## Traits - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rose Pogonia? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Rose Pogonia? 10-40 cm ### How wide does Rose Pogonia spread? 5-10 cm ### How big are the flowers on Rose Pogonia? 2-5 cm ### When does Rose Pogonia bloom? Late spring to mid-summer ### Is Rose Pogonia edible? No ### Is Rose Pogonia toxic? None ### What is Rose Pogonia's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Saint Regis Pond](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saint-regis-pond) — New York, US · Natural Landmark - [Salisbury Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salisbury-zoo) — Maryland, US · Zoo - [Dead Lakes Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dead-lakes-park) — Florida, US · Park - [Monmouth Battlefield State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monmouth-battlefield-state-park) — New Jersey, US · State Park - [Ozark National Scenic Riverways](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ozark-national-scenic-riverways) — Missouri, US · Natural Landmark - [Pine Barrens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pine-barrens) — New Jersey, US · Forest [View all places to see Rose Pogonia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rose-pogonia) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Rose Pogonia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-pogonia)