Cleistesiopsis oricamporum P.M.Br.
Coastal Plain Pogonia
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: None
Cleistesiopsis oricamporum is a recently described orchid found on the coastal plain in the southeast. Similar in appearance to the mountain species, C. bifaria, these coastal plain plants represent genetically distinctive populations with morphological differences. C. oricamporum is somewhat larger in size than C. bifaria and its flowers have a sweet vanilla fragrance that is lacking in the mountain species. C. oricamporum prefers moist, acid soils such as wet meadows and cut-over pine forests. This orchid may occur with C. divaricata, a species with larger flowers that blooms later in the season.
Pollination
Bees in the genus Bombus are attracted to the bright yellow crest on the labellum which mimics pollen. As it enters the flower, a sticky fluid is smeared on the bee’s head and thorax. When it backs out of the flower, granular pollen sticks to this fluid and can be transferred to the stigma of the next flower the bee visits. While the bees may be lured to the flower by deceit, pollen may be actively harvested and transferred from flower to flower and also brought back to the hive.
Ecosystem Type
Forests, grassland, savanna, shrublands or thickets, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
-
- alternate
- stem
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- one
- two
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
-
- pink to red
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence has one flower or a pair of flowers
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Vulnerable |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |