Wikimedia Commons
Orchidaceae
Rattlesnake Plantain
Goodyera pubescens
Woodland mystery and quiet beauty.
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Genus
- Goodyera
- Native to
- eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- terrestrial orchid
- Height
- 15–40 cm (flower stalk)
- Sunlight
- part shade to full shade
- Soil
- acidic, humus-rich woodland soil
- Water
- low to medium
- Hardiness
- 4–8
- Lifespan
- long-lived perennial
Did you know
- The 'rattlesnake' name comes from the reticulated leaf pattern that resembles snakeskin.
- It is a native terrestrial orchid — most people don't realize orchids grow wild in eastern US forests.
- The rosette of beautifully veined evergreen leaves is more ornamental than the modest flower spike.
- Like most orchids, it depends on specific mycorrhizal fungi to germinate and grow.
- Early herbalists believed the snakeskin-patterned leaves indicated the plant could treat snakebites (doctrine of signatures).
Color meanings
White
hidden forest elegance