Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Goodyera pubescens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- GOOD-yer-uh pew-BES-ens
- Description
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Downy Rattlesnake Plantain is an evergreen herbaceous perennial in the orchid family that is native to dry to mesic woodlands, bluffs, wooded slopes, and wooded ravines. The white leaf markings resemble the skin of some rattlesnakes, and the flower stalks are covered with down, giving it the common name of downy rattlesnake plantain. It was named the 2016 wildflower of the year.
As with most orchids, the roots have a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi that assists the plant getting moisture and nutrients, while the plant provides products of its photosynthesis to feed the fungus. It spreads by rhizomatous off-sets. A new rosette of leaves may take several years before blooming. They are pollinated by bees.
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain is easy to grow in a woodland garden situation. It requires dappled sunlight, acidic soils with organic matter, and a layer of mulch to ensure consistent soil moisture.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Goodyera
- Species:
- pubescens
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Leaves have been used to make tea to improve appetite and treat colds and kidney problems.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. Canada to E. Central & E. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Quebec to Minnesota, south to Oklahoma and Florida.
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees pollinate the flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are globose to ellipsoid capsules with numerous tiny dust-like seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1/4 inch white to greenish-white, hairy, rounded flowers with a pouch-like labellum and a hood formed by connivent petals and dorsal sepal on a dense spike-like raceme. July to Sept.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are up to 3 inches long, bluish-green, with prominent white veins in a basal rosette. Each leaf has a broad midvein with two smaller veins near the base of the blade that converge near the tip. Additional fine veins complete an irregular network pattern.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Densely hair light green flower stalk
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
