Pogonia ophioglossoides (L.) Ker Gawl.

Rose pogonia, snakemouth orchid

Similar species in similar habitats

	Arethusa bulbosa	You are here Pogonia ophioglossoides
Common Name	dragon’s mouth orchid	rose pogonia
Plant	Inconspicuous unless flowering, but flowers are showy and unique. At less than 1′ (40 cm) tall, smaller than similar orchids. And the labellum, or lip, is lowermost, vs. uppermost on grass pinks.	1½–28″ (4–70 cm) tall, occurring sometimes in colonies.
Leaves	A single, basal, grasslike leaf, 1½–8″ (4–20 cm) × ⅛–⅜″ (3–12 mm), typically develops after flowering.	A single clasping leaf appears midway up the stem. It is 1½–4″ (3.8–10 cm) × ¾″ (1.9 cm).
Flowers	Each stem is 4–16″ (10–40 cm) long, and tipped by a single flower, rarely two. Each flower has three sepals on top, like rabbit ears, and two petals that form a hood. The sepals are ¾–2″ (2–5.5 cm) long. A colorful lower lip—the labellum—is ¾–1¼″ (1.9–3.5 cm) long, and white, with a yellow middle region and pink speckles, and some bristles in the center. Sepals and petals are pink to red, and rarely, white. Flowers appear from May to as late as mid-July, depend­ing upon region.	One, rarely two, or very rarely three flowers top each stalk. Flowers are pink, or rarely white. The labellum, or lip, has jagged (lacerate) edges and a “beard” comprised of several rows of dark pink, yellow, or purple hairs. It is ⅜–⅞″ (1.2–2.5 cm) long. Sepals are ½–⅞″ (1.4–2.3 cm) long. There is an erect upper sepal, and two petals forming a hood. Flowers appear from June to August.
Fruit	An erect capsule, ¾–1¼″ (1.9–3.2 cm) long.	An erect capsule up to 1″ (2.5 cm) long.
Range/ Zones		USDA Zones: 3-8
Habitats	Bogs, meadows, fens, and fields, and the edges of swamps and other wetlands.	Bogs, fens, prairies, meadows, woodlands, swamps, and along river or pond edges.

Pogonia ophioglossoides description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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