Arethusa bulbosaL., or Dragon's Mouth, is the only species in this orchid genus. It belongs to the orchid family (Orchidaceae), subtribe Epidendroideae, tribe Arethusae, subtribe Bletiinae.
drawing from Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada.
This terrestrial and very rare orchid occurs in the temperate regions of North America, mainly in Eastern Canada and Eastern USA. It occurs in bogs, swamps and other lowland humid places. It grows to a height of 15 cm. It forms a large, single, pink terminal flower, with a showy lip and white and yellow fringed crests.
The name 'Arethusa' is derived from Greek mythology, were Arethusa was a water nymph.
Arethusa bulbosa, a wild orchid: in Greek mythologyArethusa was a beautiful nymph, a follower of Artemis in some versions, who -- like so many of her kind -- tried desperately to escape the unwanted attentions of a god.
One single plant nearby bears three blossoms, and in another spot stand four white buds, one of which is nearly open.
Four smaller Arethusa are lined in front of this creature: a tiny dragon monarch and its court.
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