Large whorled pogonia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Large whorled pogonia |
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| Flower of a large whorled pogonia | |
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| Genus: |
Isotria
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| Species: |
verticillata
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The Isotria verticillata, often called the large whorled pogonia or purple fiveleaf orchid, is a special type of orchid. This plant grows naturally in the eastern parts of North America.
Where the Large Whorled Pogonia Lives
This beautiful orchid can be found across a wide area. It lives in the Eastern United States, especially in the Appalachian Mountains. You can also find it around the central and eastern Great Lakes region.
Its home stretches from Maine in the north all the way down to Florida in the south. Westward, it grows from Michigan down to Texas. This orchid also makes its home in Ontario, Canada.
The large whorled pogonia likes to grow in certain places. It prefers forests where the soil is acidic. It also thrives in peat bogs, which are wet, spongy areas with lots of decaying plant material.
What the Large Whorled Pogonia Looks Like
The Isotria verticillata is a type of terrestrial orchid. This means it grows on the ground, not on other plants or trees. It spreads by using underground stems called rhizomes. Think of rhizomes like special roots that help the plant grow new shoots.
Its leaves are a vibrant green on top. Below, they have a waxy feel and look a bit whitish.
The flowers of this orchid are quite striking. They are yellowish-green in color. When fully open, they can be quite large, measuring up to 110 millimeters (about 4.3 inches) across.
