Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Any of various small terrestrial orchids of northern temperate regions that are or were previously classified in the genus Pogonia and have pink or whitish flowers.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Plural of pogonium.
  • noun A genus of terrestrial orchids of the tribe Neottieæ and subtribe Arethuseæ, characterized by the distinct and usually erect sepals, the long wingless column, and the undivided or three-lobed lip.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun any hardy bog orchid of the genus Pogonia: terrestrial orchids having slender rootstocks and erect stems bearing one or a few leaves and a solitary terminal flower

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[New Latin Pōgōnia, genus name, from Greek pōgōn, beard.]

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Examples

  • And so did calopogon, pogonia, spiranthes, and many other fine plant people that lived in our meadow.

    The Story of My Boyhood and Youth John Muir 1876

  • I had returned to the old home during a summer vacation of the State University, and, having made a beginning in botany, I was, of course, full of enthusiasm and ran eagerly to my beloved pogonia, calopogon, and cypripedium gardens, osmunda ferneries, and the lake lilies and pitcher-plants.

    The Story of My Boyhood and Youth John Muir 1876

  • -- Dependence on insects, 144; strange mechanical adaptation; sweet-pogonia; perfume suggesting raspberries, 145; intention of the blossom, 146; adaptation for insects, 147; its fragrance a perfumed whisper of welcome, 148;

    My Studio Neighbors William Hamilton Gibson 1873

  • One example will suffice for present illustration -- the sweet-pogonia or grass-pink of our sedgy swamps

    My Studio Neighbors William Hamilton Gibson 1873

  • Early spring could potentially shift the schedules of flowering plants such as the pogonia orchid and the bumblebee, its pollinator.

    NPR Topics: News 2010

  • Early spring could potentially shift the schedules of flowering plants such as the pogonia orchid and the bumblebee, its pollinator.

    NPR Topics: News 2010

  • Early spring could potentially shift the schedules of flowering plants such as the pogonia orchid and the bumblebee, its pollinator.

    NPR Topics: News 2010

  • Early spring could potentially shift the schedules of flowering plants such as the pogonia orchid and the bumblebee, its pollinator.

    NPR Topics: News 2010

  • A terrestrial orchid called the small whorled pogonia is very rare in the state, as is the snapdragon-related sandplain gerardia.

    News from www.rep-am.com 2009

  • The South Mountains contain forested areas that harbor many uncommon or rare plant species, including turkey beard (Xerophyllum asphodeloides) on xeric ridges and one of North America’s rarest orchids, the small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides).

    Ecoregions of North Carolina and South Carolina (EPA) 2009

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