Cleistesiopsis bifaria (Fernald ) Pansarin & F.Barros

Small Spreading Pogonia; Small Rosebud Orchid

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Small Spreading Pogonia is a native perennial herb in the Orchid family (Orchidaceae). It can be found in the southern-most counties in Alabama and in northeast Alabama. Small Spreading Pogonia grows in bogs, seeps, and in wet longleaf pine/wire grass forests. It often occurs with Pale Grass Pink (Calopogon pallidus Chapman), Common Grass Pink (Calopogon tuberosus (Linnaeus) Britton, Sterns & Poggenburg), and Rose Pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides (Linnaeus) Ker-Gawler). It is a perennial from a cluster of cord-like roots. The roots often have tuberous thickenings. Stems are solitary, 12-18 inches in height, glaucous, and glabrous. There are two sessile leaves on the stem. One is located about mid-length of the stem, and another smaller leaf is located just below the flower. Leaves are lanceolate to elliptic in outline, entire, glaucous, and glabrous. There is a single terminal flower. There are three linear-lanceolate sepals that are reddish-brown or purple-brown in color. The three petals are white to pink in color and form a tube. Flowers have a strong vanilla smell. The fruit is a capsule. As with all native orchids, you should not pick them or try to transplant them.--A. Diamond

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Native

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