Minnesota Wildflowers


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Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlesnake Plantain)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Goodyera
Family:Orchidaceae (Orchid)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, shade; dry to average moisture, oak-birch-aspen or pine forests
Bloom season:July - September
Plant height:9 to 14 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: irregular Cluster type: raceme

[photo of flowers] A dense, cylindrical spike-like raceme of 28-52 tiny, densely pubescent (hairy) pearly white flowers. Individual flowers are about ¼ inch long, the lower lip is globular with a lip at the end of the sack. Lateral petals are white; sepals have a greenish surface.

Leaves and stem: Leaf attachment: alternate basal Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are evergreen and mostly basal, dark green with fine silvery white reticulation and a thick stripe along each side of the midrib, oval to egg-shaped with a dull point, 1½ to 3½ inches long. There are also several scale-like leaves alternately attached on the densely pubescent (hairy) stem.

Fruit:

[photo of fruit] Fruit is a hanging capsule that ripens to brown. The seed heads may persist to the following season.

Notes:

A close up of this flower, it appears to be perpetually in song. I can hear its singing when I step into its garden. Of Minnesota's three Goodyera species, this has the most southeasterly range both in Minnesota and nationally, and it overlaps the other species' ranges in Cass and Aitkin Counties. It is the largest of the Rattlesnake Plantains in MN but is most easily distinguished by the fine white veining on the leaves and broad stripe along the midrib. The other 2 species have thick veining and/or no center stripe.

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Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken along Hwy 64 in Hubbard County

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Neville in Wild River State Park
on: 2010-09-20 10:53:49

There is a small but vigorous population in a paper birch and red maple stand near the picnic pavilion.

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