Dragon's Mouth, Wild Pink (Arethusa bulbosa)

The delicate, rose purple dragon's mouth is one of Michigan's most beautiful orchids. Although primarily a plant of open sphagnum bogs, preferring wet, acid peat near open water, this species can also be found in alkaline fens. The upright upper petals, some of which dangle over the prominent, yellow streaked lower lip, are suggestive of the pricked up ears of an animal. Grass pink and rose pogonia are two other orchid species commonly found growing with dragon's mouth.