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
Show All Characteristics

Native to North America

Yes

North American Conservation Status & Distribution

Conservation Status

Select a location to view conservation status:

Conservation and Wetland Status
Global Rank Apparently Secure
US Status N/A
Canadian Status N/A

North America Distribution

Adapted from USDA data