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Appalachian Small Spreading Pogonia

Cleistesiopsis bifaria

Found in moist to fairly dry meadows, dry ridgetops under pines (where seasonally moist), fire-maintained oak-pine woodlands. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

5
Modest

Native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
Up to about 2.5 feet
Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to moist
Will it fit your yard?

Rare or protected plant. Specialist conservation planting; excluded from routine garden suggestions. Plant caution source

Hidden from default planting suggestions. Wildlife value and native status remain unchanged.

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
May to July
Fruiting season
July to September

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 5 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Meadows

Open, grassy or flowery ground that is not wet, such as mountain meadows; wet meadows are separate.

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 130 animals.

All wildlife of Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Orchidaceae
Flower color
Pink, purple or brown
Fruit begins
July
Fruit ends
September
Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Cleistes bifaria; Cleistes divaricata; Spreading Pogonia

Conservation status

Virginia rankS2
Global rankG3G4
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

Will it fit your yard?

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How to check your spot

Sources