Species PlantsDowny Rattlesnake Plantain

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Goodyera pubescens

CommonPlant
Illustration of Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain is a native terrestrial orchid found across eastern North American forests, recognized by its beautiful evergreen basal rosette of dark green leaves marked with an intricate pattern of white veins that gives them a snake-scale appearance. In summer it sends up a spike of tiny white flowers. Despite its ordinary appearance compared to showier orchids, it is one of the most common native orchids in the eastern forest. It grows in dry to moist deciduous and mixed forests and is easily found year-round by its distinctive foliage.

Habitat
Dry to moist deciduous and mixed forests, acid soils, upland woods
Diet
Flowers visited by bumblebees; evergreen leaves provide minimal winter browse for deer
How common
Common

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