Goodyera, Genus, pubescens, Species,
- Genus & species
downy rattlesnake plantain
Overview
Goodyera pubescens is a small evergreen terrestrial orchid in the orchid family, grown mainly for its patterned ground-hugging leaves. It forms a basal rosette 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide of thick, dark blue-green leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, each marked with a bold network of white veins and a white central stripe. In mid to late summer a downy flower stalk rises 6-18 inches (15-45 cm), carrying a dense, cylindrical spike of many small, rounded white flowers about 0.2 inch (4-5 mm) long. The plant spreads slowly by short, creeping rhizomes to form loose colonies in the leaf litter of dry to moist woodland. Like most orchids, it depends on a partnership with soil fungi to germinate and grow, which makes it very difficult to transplant or cultivate from collected plants. It grows slowly and is set back by disturbance, root drying, and deep burial in fallen leaves. The evergreen leaves stay visible through winter, when the surrounding woodland is bare.
Native Range
Goodyera pubescens is native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Ontario south to Florida and west to Minnesota and Arkansas. It grows in the shade of dry to moist deciduous and mixed forests, often in acidic soil under oaks and pines.Suggested Uses
Grown by native-plant and woodland gardeners as an evergreen groundcover for shaded, acidic beds, established from nursery-propagated plants rather than wild-collected ones. Its patterned leaves add winter interest to woodland and shade gardens. It also has a history of traditional medicinal use among Indigenous peoples of eastern North America.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'6"
Width/Spread2" - 6"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in mid to late summer, usually July to August, with the spike opening its small white flowers from the bottom upward over two to three weeks. Bumblebees are the main pollinators. After flowering, the dry seed capsules release dust-like seeds, while the evergreen rosette persists year-round.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark blue-green with white veinsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
