Ontario Wildflowers website

Arethusa
Arethusa bulbosa

Arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa) Other common names: Dragon's Mouth, Wild Pink

French names: Aréthuse bulbeuse

Family: Orchid Family (Orchidaceae)

Group: Orchids

Distinctive features: A very small plant, blue spotted fringed lower lip.

Similar species:
  •   Rose Pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides)


Flowers: Spring, Summer;  Blue/Violet;  Irregular flowers;  1-2" long, lower lip spotted and fringed.

Leaves: Small, grass-like, not developed until after the plant flowers.

Height: 12-25 cm (5-10 in)

Habitat: Wet Areas;  Bogs.

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 16    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 214    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 84   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status:   S-Rank: S4  G-Rank: G4
Uncommon.


Notes: A very small plant, easily overlooked. Hard to find because of its habitat (bogs) and size.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: bulbosa: bulbous; swollen


Photographs: 313 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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Arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa)

Arethusa.

Arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa)

Closer view of an Arethusa flower.

Arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa)

Most of an Arethusa plant.

Arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa)

The plants are actually quite small, so you sometimes have to look very caregfully to find them.

Arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa)

Typical Arethusa habitat.
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Range map for Arethusa (Arethusa bulbosa)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)