Front:
FL
MIAMI,
20c
1984
33152
Spreading pogonia Cleistes divaricata
Krishin Rosenberg
Back:
Atop long, slender stems . . . accented with delicate
green leaves, sprouting skyward . . . are the softly col-
ored petals of the Spreading Pogonia Orchid. The deli-
cate coloration of its flower makes this plant one of the
most attractive orchids of North America. Usually light
pink in color, this lovely orchid has also been known
by such names as the Rosebud Orchid ... Funnel-
crest ... and Ladies' Ettercap. Unlike many orchids, the
Spreading Pogonia is very versatile and can easily survive
in many different types of habitats. Most often found in
low, moist, grassy pine barrens, this remarkable orchid
can also be found growing on exposed mountain slopes.
Interestingly, the Spreading Pogonia seems to thrive in
soil that is intensely acidic ... a condition that would
quickly wither most other orchids. Geographically, this
orchid can be found growing from near sea level on the
Atlantic Coastal Plain and Gulf Coast ... all the way
up to four thousand feet altitude in the lush mountains
of North Carolina and Tennessee. To honor the beauty
of this American orchid, the United States issued the
No. 84-17
©1984 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Kristin Rosenberg.
