Facts About

Accepted Synonyms: Calopogon parviflorus, Limodorum parviflorum

Calopogon barbatus, commonly called Bearded Grass Pink, is distributed from North Carolina south to Florida and west to Louisiana. The 1-2 slender, basal leaves are present at the time of flowering. It bears an inflorescence of 3 to 7 flowers, most of which are open simultaneously. The usual petal and sepal color is bright magenta pink but may vary from white to lilac-blue. The lip is decorated with a tuft of bright orange hairs. It blooms in March and April in wet meadows, pine flatwoods, and along roadsides. It can be distinguished from C. multiflorus by the shape of its petals, which are wider below the middle, its earlier bloom time, and its smaller stature.

Calopogon barbatus is considered globally secure, but is rare in most southeastern states except Florida.

Pollination

The flowers of Calopogon appear to be upside down with the lip at the top of the flower and use deception to attract pollinators. Midway up the lip, a tuft of orange-yellow hairs resembles pollen which attract naive, recently emerged bees expecting a reward. Bees of sufficient weight, such as Augochloropsis sumptuosa and members of Augochlora, force the hinged labellum to swing down, dropping the pollinator backwards onto the column. Any pollen attached to the bee is pressed onto the stigma and as the bee exits the flower, it picks up a new load of sticky pollen found on the end of the column.

Ecosystem Type

Forests, meadows, woodlands

Characteristics

Native to North America

Yes

North American Conservation Status & Distribution