Tuberous Grasspink

Calopogon tuberosus

The Tuberous Grasspink is a beautiful flower that blooms in pink and purple colors. It loves to grow in wet areas like marshes and meadows, making them look extra pretty in springtime.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Tuberous Grasspink has slender, grass-like leaves emerging from the base and a tall stem topped with vibrant magenta-pink flowers. Each bloom features a distinctive fuzzy, yellow 'beard' on its lowest petal, making it stand out from other wildflowers.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyOrchidaceaeGenusCalopogon

Tuberous Grasspink

Interesting facts

Its flowers are like a clever trap, offering no nectar but still getting bees to visit!

Native Americans once cooked and ate its starchy tubers, similar to potatoes!

The fuzzy 'beard' on its petal is a fake pollen mimic, fooling bees into pollinating!

Unlike most orchids, this one loves to sunbathe in open, wet meadows and bogs!

Special abilities

Tuberous Grasspink has bright, showy flowers that trick bees into pollinating it without offering any nectar, saving energy.

Tuberous Grasspink has starchy, edible tubers that store energy, helping it survive harsh conditions and regrow each year.

Tuberous Grasspink can thrive in open, sunny wetlands, an unusual habitat preference for many delicate orchid species.

Measurements & details

Height: 15-70 cm
Spread: 10-15 cm
Flower Size: 2-5 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to mid-summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

Tricked into moving pollen!

pollinates

A Furrow Bee

Lasioglossum calceatum

Visits flowers, seeking pollen.

eaten by

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

May consume its starchy tubers.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

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.