Plant DetailShow Menu

Tipularia discolor is often confused with:
Aplectrum hyemale Aplectrum hyemale
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium catesbyi T. catesbaei
Viola canadensis Viola canadensis
Viola pubescens Form

Crippled Crane-fly Tipularia discolor

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
tip-yoo-LAH-ree-uh DIS-kol-or
Description

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:
Tags:
#deciduous#NC native#summer flowers#orchid#acidic soils tolerant#native wildflower#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#partial shade tolerant#moth friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#NC native#summer flowers#orchid#acidic soils tolerant#native wildflower#naturalized area#NC Native Pollinator Plant#partial shade tolerant#moth friendly#woodland
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Moths