Pinepink
(Bletia purpurea)
Pinepink (Bletia purpurea)
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E.P. Mallory
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
E.P. Mallory
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: E.P. Mallory | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: E.P. Mallory | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Bletia purpurea, commonly known as Pinepink, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb that originates from pine rocklands and seasonally dry forests in the Tropical Americas, including the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America as well as Mexico. It can reach a length of up to 180 cm (5 feet). The plant features ovoid (egg-shaped) pseudobulbs up to 4 cm (1.6 inches) in diameter, which serve as water storage organs. Its leaves are linear or narrowly elliptic, stretching up to 100 cm (40 inches) long, and the plant produces striking flowers that are pink, purple, or occasionally white. These flowers appear in racemes or panicles, sometimes boasting as many as 80 flowers, with sepals typically smaller than those of B. patula, usually less than 30 mm (1.2 inches) long. The flowering season extends from late winter to early spring, and the blooms are quite showy, attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.
Pinepink is valued for its ornamental flowers and is often used in tropical and subtropical gardens. It is suitable for rock gardens, as a ground cover, or in containers where its pseudobulbs can be appreciated. In cultivation, Pinepink requires full sun to part shade, medium amounts of water, and well-draining soil to thrive. It is relatively low maintenance but benefits from a layer of mulch to retain moisture and protect its pseudobulbs. While generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly draining soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Pinepink is valued for its ornamental flowers and is often used in tropical and subtropical gardens. It is suitable for rock gardens, as a ground cover, or in containers where its pseudobulbs can be appreciated. In cultivation, Pinepink requires full sun to part shade, medium amounts of water, and well-draining soil to thrive. It is relatively low maintenance but benefits from a layer of mulch to retain moisture and protect its pseudobulbs. While generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly draining soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1.5-5 feet
- Width: 0.3-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple
- Flowering Season: Winter, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Semi-Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Pine rocklands and seasonally dry forests in the Tropical Americas
Other Names
Common Names: Bletia Común, Sharp-Petaled Bletia
Scientific Names: , Bletia purpurea, Bletia verecunda, Bletia purpurea var. purpurea, Cymbidium verecundum, Limodorum purpureum, Cymbidium altum, Bletia pottsii, Bletia acutipetala, Bletia expansa
GBIF Accepted Name: Bletia purpurea (Lam.) A.DC.