Cranefly Orchid Tipularia discolor
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- tip-yoo-LAH-ree-uh DIS-kol-or
- Description
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Cranefly Orchid is a perennial woodland orchid native to the southeastern USA and is found in all areas of NC. In Autumn the single oval leaf emerges and stays through spring, then disappears. There are no leaves present during bloom-time. In July-Sept, a 1-2 foot tall flower stalk emerges from the corm with a spike of irregularly shaped purplish-brown to copper orchid blooms. The shape accommodates the moths that pollinate them. The plants are connected by a series of combs.
They need to grow in a woodland setting with decaying wood in moist well-drained soil. Plant where they can receive sun in the winter. This plant is listed as rare, endangered or threatened in several states.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tipularia
- Species:
- discolor
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinated by moths
- Edibility:
- Corms are edible
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Oval tan fruits in fall
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- A flowering spike appears in July through Sept. directly from the corm with a spike of irregularly shaped spindly orchid blooms with a long nectar spur. They are purplish-brown to copper in color.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The single leaf is dull to shiny green above, sometimes has raised purple spots and purple underneath. Appears in Autumn through spring.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Greenish-brown smooth leafless stem 12-20 inches tall
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Moths
