Goodyera R. Brown
The Rattlesnake Plantain orchids
Goodyera repens var. ophioides
The genus Goodyera
is named in honor of a fifteenth-century English botanist, John Goodyer.
During that time period (and even into more recent times), the leaves were
apparently used for medicinal purposes. The genus contains approximately
25 species, 4 of which are found in Wisconsin. One, G. repens, is
circumboreal in distribution, although it is represented in our area by
a distinct variety.
A. Inflorescence secund (one-sided) or loosely
spiraled
B. Flowering stem large, usually 20 cm or greater; flower parts
typically greater than 5 mm long
- Leaves dark green, marked with a white stripe along the midrib; reticulations
+/- present, but rarely prominent...oblongifolia
- Leaves green, often pale green; marked with white reticulations, lacking
a strong white stripe along the midrib...tesselata
BB. Flowering stem small, generally less than 15 cm tall; flower
parts less than 5 mm long; plants thus diminutive in all respects...repens
var. ophioides
AA. Inflorescence cylindrical; generally densely packed with flowers
- Labellum typically saccate-globular; leaves ovate or obovate, generally
strongly reticulated with white...pubescens
- Labellum more elongate and scarcely saccate; leaves typically more lanceolate,
reticulations typically appearing greenish white...tesselata
Go to the list of the species of Goodyera.
Return to the main LIST of the Orchids of
Wisconsin.
Return to the main KEY to the Orchids of
Wisconsin.