Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Orchidaceae

Genus:

Calopogon

Species:

Calopogon tuberosus

USDA Symbol:

CATU5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

90 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul,aug

Bloom Colors:

pink, magenta, purple, white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouting orchid that benefits from periodic fire in wet prairie and bog habitats. Fire removes competing vegetation and thatch accumulation.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

wet, peaty, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)

Drainage:

poor drainage tolerated

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Commonly found in bogs and wet meadows

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

30–180 days

Notes:

Orchid seeds require mycorrhizal fungi for germination and establishment. Propagation from seed is extremely difficult without laboratory conditions.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI