Yet, they are neither plantains nor weeds, but orchids (family Orchidaceae). As is usual with orchids, there are three sepals and three petals, one of which is distinctively modified as a lip. Photo by Collin Koers. In contrast with the rosette leaves, the inflorescence stem and reduced bracteal leaves are densely downy. I took a couple of these photos back in early spring, when there was little else visible on the forest floor. The rattlesnake plantains get their name from their broad, rounded leaves similar in shape to those of plantain, a common lawn weed. Fruits are globose to ellipsoid capsules, 6–8 mm in diameter, bearing numerous small, dustlike seeds  . Rattlesnake in the common name alludes to a fancied resemblance of the prominent reticulated veins to the scaly skin of snakes. Open flowers of Good­yera are dom­i­n­ated by the saclike lip; two sepals flank the lip, and the remaining sepal and two petals are crowded together, forming a hoodlike ­cover over the column; the ovary is inferior. The Rattlesnake Orchid … Leaves are alternate, somewhat crowded together, and only slightly elevated above ground level. Downy rattlesnake plantain inflorescence from previous growing season. The stalk is somewhat hairy, or “downy”. Text by W. John Hayden Goodyera pubescens range map. ( Log Out /  The downy rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera pubescens) is one of eastern North America’s native orchid species. Each flower, subtended by a narrow bract, is initially more 
or less circular in outline, but petals and sepals later diverge, transforming the circle to a roughly triangular outline. Leaves are present year-round, bluish-green, with prominent white veins; on each leaf, a broad midvein is flanked by two smaller veins that arise near the base of the blade and converge near the apex. The stalk is somewhat hairy, or “downy”. Goodyera pubescens is a small, low herb 20-40 cm tall in flower. The silver markings on the dark blue-green leaves, along with the bold stripe in the center of the leaf make it easy to identify as rattlesnake plantain. Asters, Craggy Gardens Trail. Species of Goodyera can be found throughout much of the north temperate zone, as well as in Australia and on several oceanic islands. The horizontal rhizomes, usually covered lightly by leaf litter, bear roots at intervals and terminate in a rosette of leaves. The spike of flowers at the top of the stalk is densely packed with buds, as you can see in the gallery photos. It turns out that bloomtime is late–the flower stalks emerge very slowly in June, and then the flower buds finally begin to open in July and August. Goodyera pubescensSource: Digital Atlas of the Flora of Virginiavaplantatlas.org. Lateral petals are white; sepals have a greenish surface. Its dark-green, oval leaves (4 to 8 in number and 1½ to 2½ inches long) lay low to the ground in a circular arrangement around a central growing point (basal rosette) and may persist for three to four years. Downy Rattlesnake Plantain is described as easy to grow in a woodland garden situation. Yet, they are neither plantains … The flower stalk can rise 6 to 18 inches above the low-growing basal rosette of evergreen leaves. mycorrhizal relationship with fungi that assists the plant in the acquisition of moisture and ­nutrients, while the plant provides products of its photosynthesis to feed the fungus. The flowers of this orchid remind me of our onion orchids, except ours are totally green, and very small! Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Mailstop Code: 1103 Also typical of ­orchids, the seeds of this species are minute and dustlike, bearing few nutrients to assist in the establishment of new seedlings. Leaves in a basal rosette, each with a broad white midrib and each vein lined with white or greenish- white; broadly elliptic to broadly egg-shaped, 2.1–6.2 cm long, 1.3–3 cm wide, tip pointed to blunt. Gardeners should not collect Downy Rattlesnake Plantain in the wild and should be certain that all native plants purchased for home gardens have been nursery-propagated, not wild-collected. Also like the other rattlesnake plantains, downy rattlesnake plantain is evergreen. Downy Rattlesnake Plantain can be found throughout Virginia. Washington DC 20250-1103, Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices, Native Plant Material Accomplishment Reports, Fading Gold: The Decline of Aspen in the West, Wildflowers, Part of the Pagentry of Fall Colors, Tall Forb Community of the Intermountain West, Strategic Planning, Budget And Accountability, Recreation, Heritage And Volunteer Resources, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air And Rare Plants. Flower stalks produce 20–80 evenly spaced, small white flowers in a dense terminal spike. Pollination often has a high rate of success, and many flowers produce mature fruits. Photo by Collin Koers. Rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) is a terrestrial perennial monocot in the orchid family, Orchidaceae, rising from a fibrous rhizome. To see and learn more about interesting species of plants native to Virginia, visit www.vnps.org and contact your chapter of VNPS (details on the website) for the times and dates of programs and wildflower walks in your area. USDA PLANTS Database. The common name plantain has been applied to diverse, unrelated plants that have broad, flat leaves, the word being derived from the Latin word planta, referring to the sole of the foot. ( Log Out /  Pollination often has a high rate of success, and many flowers produce mature fruits. Seedling establishment requires assistance from soil fungi, from which the orchid derives the organic molecules it needs until it can make its own food via photosynthesis in its leaves. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and other native bee species. Nevertheless, like all native plants, its populations are subject to habitat alteration. It is a true woodland beauty! Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Ever since, I’ve been waiting for the plant to come into flower. Its evergreen leaves have distinct white or pale streaks making them easy to distinguish. This evergreen orchid is a perennial rhizoma­tous herb of the forest floor. It can be found on dry to moist upland sites in deciduous and coniferous forests, usually in sandy, acidic soils, and sometimes growing on moss. Either way, look for this exotic plant on your next walk through oak or pine forests. Flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and other native bee species. Downy rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera pubescens) is one of four species within the Goodyera genus. The spike of flowers at the top of the stalk is densely packed with buds, as you can see in the gallery photos. Change ), Dried seed pods of Downy Rattlesnake Plantain in late September, seedpods of downy rattlesnake plantain in fall. In the western hemisphere, there are 16 species and in … The rattlesnake plantains get their name from their broad, rounded leaves similar in shape to those of plantain, a common lawn weed. The very small, white orchid flowers begin to open first from the bottom of the stalk; the buds look like fuzzy little pearls before they open. As is typical of orchids, the roots have a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi that assists the plant in the acquisition of moisture and ­nutrients, while the plant provides products of its photosynthesis to feed the fungus. Further, the stigma, style, and, in this case, one anther, are complexly fused to form a central column. Snakeroot often bordered the trail, Craggy Gardens Trail. This unique plant is a treasure for avid gardeners across the country. Twenty-five would be a conservative estimate of the number of species, globally, in the genus. In Australia, we have some orchids that have very similarly veined, blue-green leaves. Web Layout by Sue Dingwell, View or Download the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Brochure, © 2020 Virginia Native Plant Society | Conserving Wild Flowers and Wild Places, Regardless of season, Downy Rattlesnake Plantain is a delight to encounter in the woods of Virginia. Mid-spring on Allegheny National Forest. Maybe that’s how it got its name! Light conditions may range from partial shade to sun. Photographs by W. John Hayden and Nicky Staunton Flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and other native bee species. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! This is one of those cases where I was so fascinated with the structure of the flower that I forgot to photograph the leaves making identification almost impossible, Craggy Gardens Trail. Downy Rattlesnake Plantain was first named Neottia pubescens, by Willdenow; at the time, Neottia encompassed orchids now classified in several different genera. Downy rattlesnake plantain basal rosette. Look at that symphony of color and design! Because nursery-propagated plants of this species are available only from specialty native-plant nurseries and because digging from the wild cannot be condoned, it may be best not to try to grow it in a garden. Leaf blades are ovate, 3–8 cm long, and 1.5–3 cm wide, often of varying size within a rosette. Individual flowers are about ¼ inch long, the lower lip is globular with a lip at the end of the sack. Illustration by Nicky Staunton As is typical of orchids, the roots have a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi that assists the plant in the acquisition of moisture and ­nutrients, while the plant provides products of its photosynthesis to feed the fungus.