# 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. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Tuberous Grasspink](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Calopogon_tuberosus_Texas.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calopogon_tuberosus_Texas.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Orchidaceae - **Genus:** Calopogon ## 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 - **Deceptive Delight:** Tuberous Grasspink has bright, showy flowers that trick bees into pollinating it without offering any nectar, saving energy. - **Underground Pantry:** Tuberous Grasspink has starchy, edible tubers that store energy, helping it survive harsh conditions and regrow each year. - **Wet Feet Wanderer:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look at flowers but don't pick them, as they help nature stay beautiful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tuberous Grasspink? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Tuberous Grasspink? 15-70 cm ### How wide does Tuberous Grasspink spread? 10-15 cm ### How big are the flowers on Tuberous Grasspink? 2-5 cm ### When does Tuberous Grasspink bloom? Late spring to mid-summer ### Is Tuberous Grasspink edible? Yes ### Is Tuberous Grasspink toxic? None ### What is Tuberous Grasspink's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Deep Creek Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/deep-creek-preserve) — Florida, US · Nature Reserve - [Gulf Breeze Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gulf-breeze-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Grandma Lake Wetlands State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grandma-lake-wetlands-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoosier-prairie-state-nature-preserve) — Indiana, US · Nature Reserve - [Monroe Lake Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monroe-lake-archeological-district) — Florida, US · Historic District [View all places to see Tuberous Grasspink](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tuberous-grasspink) ## 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: [Tuberous Grasspink: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tuberous-grasspink)