dragonās-mouth
dragonās-mouth, (Arethusa bulbosa), species of terrestrial orchid (family Orchidaceae) found only in North American bogs. The plant is the only species in the genus Arethusa.
The dragonās-mouth orchid is a perennial plant with a small corm and a single grasslike leaf. It produces a solitary reddish pink flower with three erect sepals and a purplish-blotched lip that curves downward. The upper surface of the lip is covered with a thick tissue bearing many yellowish purple-tipped hairs. A hood arches over the lip. The flowering stem is about 30 cm (12 inches) tall.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
Citation Information
Article Title:
dragonās-mouth
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
14 March 2017
Access Date:
November 14, 2026