Downy Rattlesnake Plantain
An evergreen orchid with horizontal rhizomes that grow low to the ground. The roots have a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi, which helps the plant acquire moisture and nutrients, while the plant provides the products of its photosynthesis to the fungus. The green, variegated leaves are quite striking and resemble the skin of a snake, hence the common name. Leaves are present year-round and grow as a basal rosette. The inflorescence stems are densely downy. The flower stalks produce numerous small, white flowers in a terminal spike. The entire plant was approximately 2 feet tall.
"Goodyera pubescens", the downy rattlesnake plantain, is one of the most common orchids native to eastern North America. It is found from Florida to Nova Scotia, west to eastern Oklahoma, Minnesota and Ontario.
