Rose Pogonia

(Pogonia ophioglossoides)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: NRCS Plants Database, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Rose Pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides [L.] Ker-Gawl.)

Identification: Flowers pink, large. Lower petal with a strong fringe and a central crest tinged with yellow. Two lateral, slightly downward pointing petals and three upward pointing petals, the outer two ovate and the central more elongate. Flowers solitary at the apex of the plant. Middle of stem with a clasping leaf and base of plant with a single, long petioled leaf. Plant 4 to 20 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout eastern North America.

Habitat: Rose Pogonia is found in sphagnum bogs and wet meadows with acid soil.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: The large pink flowers with a heavily fringed and crested lower petal are distinctive.

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