Goodyera pubescens - Robert Brown 1813

Author: Danielle Kathleen Jordan

Common Names:(Hausman, 1947)

-Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

-Spotted Plantain

-Scrofula-weed

Higher Taxa(Jones, 1986)

-Class: Angiospermae

-Subclass: Liliidae

-Order: Orchidales

-Family: Orchidaceae

-Tribe: Cranichideae

-Genus: Goodyera

-Species: pubescens

More on taxonomy of Orchids can be found at this link.

Identification:

Goodyera pubescens was first described by Robert Brown in 1813. The location of the specimens and where they were collected could not be found. Hausman describes the species as follows, "The stout scape of this species, from 6 to 20 inches in height, is densely pubescent, and bears from 5 to 10 scales. Flowers greenish white; the blunt lip is sac-shaped and not recurved. The dark green leaves are marked with 5,6,or7 white nerves and are finely and prettily reticulated"(Hausman et al. 1947).

Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlsnake-plantain)
Photo: R.E. Whiting (TRT 6074) c ROM Herbaria
Courtesy of the University of Georgia Herbarium

Another image of G. pubescens can be seen at this link.

Geography:

Goodyera pubescens is a native plant of North America. According to The Audubon Society Guide to North American Wildflowers, G. pubescens ranges throughout Ontario, Quebec, and New England south to Florida; west to Arkansas and Tennessee; north to Minnesota and the lake states(Niering et al. 1979). Blanchan also adds that G. pubescens is rarly seen westward of the Mississippi(Blanchan et al. 1901).

Goodyera pubescens
AREASTATUSREFERENCES
North America:Continental United States; CanadaYesHausman,1947
Eastern North America:United States east of Mississippi; Ontario and eastern CanadaYesHausman,1947
Southeastern United States:AL AR DE DC FL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WVYesHausman,1947
Southern Appalachian StatesAL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WVYesHausman, 1947
Coastal Plain
?
-
Piedmont
?
-
Blue Ridge MountainsYesHausman,1947
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkYesHausman, 1947
Ridge and Valley
?
-
Cumberland Plateau
?
-
Central Arch
?
-
GeorgiaYesDanielle Jordan Pers. Ob.
Clarke County, GeorgiaYesDanielle Jordan Pers. Ob.
Sams FarmYesDanielle Jordan Pers. Ob.
Old Field
?
-
WetlandNoHausman,1947
WoodsYesHausman,1947
1-Hectare PlotYesDanielle Jordan Pers. Ob.

Natural History:

Goodyera pubescens shows a preference for dry woods where oak and pine are located(Blanchan et al. 1901). However they do grow in moist deciduous and coniferous woods also(Niering et al. 1947). G. pubescens tends to grow in colonies and the leaves of the plant can be seen year round(Duncan et al. 1975). This species usually flowers between July and August but has been recorded to bloom as early as May and late as September(Smith et al. 1979). Pollination of these plants is effected by bumblebees, however the small dust like seeds are mostly dispersed by the wind(Cox et al. 1985).

How to Encounter:

Goodyera pubescens prefers dry woods. It is often found in colonies near oaks and pines(Blanchan et al. 1901). This species usually flowers between July and August but the beautiful blue-green leaves with white veins persist through the year(Cox et al. 1985). G. pubescens can be found at Sams farm in the 1-hectare wooded plot. The best place to look for this species is near hardwoods.

Return to Taxon Page

Go to References