Calopogon tuberosus

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta. I believe this particular flower has a touch of C. pallidus in its ancestry.

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta.

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta.

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta.

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta.

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta.

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta.

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta.

There was a mowed roadside meadow following Hwy. 130 in Columbus County for a mile or so. In this meadow were dozens of Calopogon tuberosus flowers of every imaginable color from white to deep magenta.

Originally found in southeastern North Carolina, these Grass-pink orchids (Calopogon tuberosus - white form) are the last of the Grass-pinks in the bog garden to bloom. They did well this year, and are just about past peak even though there are a couple dozen more buds to open.

This is the first of the orchids to bloom in the bog garden, this year. I'm always a bit apprehensive before they bloom, since the local squirrels tend to dig up the corms (bulbs) as they sprout. This is an easy native orchid to grow, and it usually puts on a good show for a few weeks. A few years ago, I had a large group of these in the garden, but some miscreant came in and pulled them up - left one corm which has mulitplied. This year, I'll have six or seven of the purple ones to bloom. They are now safe from trespassers (except for the squirrels) since I fenced in the front yard...

When I went out into the front yard this morning, I knew that I had to photograph these before it started raining. These are quite easy to grow in a bog garden environment. They grow from tiny corms or bulb-like structures. Its flowers vary from almost pure white to deep magenta. I have some of the white variety, but for some reason, they bloom a few weeks later than these. This orchid is known as a non-resupinate orchid, which means that the lip is found in the upper position rather than the lower position on the flower.

When I went out into the front yard this morning, I knew that I had to photograph these before it started raining. These are quite easy to grow in a bog garden environment. They grow from tiny corms or bulb-like structures. Its flowers vary from almost pure white to deep magenta. I have some of the white variety, but for some reason, they bloom a few weeks later than these. This orchid is known as a non-resupinate orchid, which means that the lip is found in the upper position rather than the lower position on the flower. BTW that is a red-bodied pitcher plant in the background ( Sarracenia flava var. rubricorpa ).

There is a little known granite bald just south of Eva Chandler Heritage Preserve in Greenville County, South Carolina that has hundreds of this beautiful native orchid. This particular color is the most prevalent, but there are much lighter ones as well at this site. It is a wet bald, therefore it is able to support several species of carnivorous plants.

The white form of the Common Grass-pink Orchid just started blooming in my front yard bog garden. The white form usually blooms three to four weeks after the standard, purple form blooms. This is one of my favorite terrestrial orchids, and thankfully it is quite easy to grow in a bog garden setting.

The white form of the Common Grass-pink Orchid just started blooming in my front yard bog garden. The white form usually blooms three to four weeks after the standard, purple form blooms. This is one of my favorite terrestrial orchids, and thankfully it is quite easy to grow in a bog garden setting.

These are just a bit early this year, but apparently all of the wild orchids are blooming early in our area. This particular one has a way to go, judging by the buds that remain, and it will be pretty for another week or so. Those green things in the background are Yelow Pitcher Plants ( Sarracenia flava ). They grow wild along the Carolina coastal plain...

Short day trip to the upstate of South Carolina... There are a few places I always enjoy seeing in mid-May. Persimmon Ridge Road and Hwy. 288 north of Marietta, SC both provide ample opportunities to photograph late spring wildflowers. This year is no exception. This orchid is locally abundant in mountain seepages. The colors range from deep magenta to the lightest pink (almost, but not quite white). It stands a bit over a foot tall, and is in bloom for about two weeks.