Western Rattlesnake Plantain

Goodyera oblongifolia

The Western Rattlesnake Plantain is a beautiful plant with shiny, dark green leaves that look like they have a snake's pattern! It grows in shady places and is often found in forests.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Western Rattlesnake Plantain has deep green leaves with prominent white or silvery veins that create a striking net-like pattern, resembling a reptile's skin. Its tall stalk bears small, greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers arranged in a distinct spiral.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAsparagalesFamilyOrchidaceaeGenusGoodyera

Photo: Stan ShebsCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Western Rattlesnake Plantain

Interesting facts

Its leaves stay green all year round, even under a blanket of snow in cold climates!

The plant's distinctive leaf patterns inspired its name, not because snakes eat it!

This amazing plant is actually a type of orchid, related to some of the world's most exotic flowers!

Western Rattlesnake Plantain grows its tiny seeds in pods, and they are as light as dust for wind dispersal!

Special abilities

Western Rattlesnake Plantain has patterned leaves that may mimic snake scales, possibly deterring plant-eating animals.

This plant forms a special partnership with soil fungi to absorb vital nutrients, especially in shady, poor soil.

It has evergreen leaves that stay vibrant all winter, letting it gather sunlight even when other plants are dormant.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-40 cm
Spread: 15-30 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Summer
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Viereck's Sweat Bee

Lasioglossum vierecki

Visits its small flowers for nectar and pollen.

Symbiotic with

Rhizoctonia Fungus

Rhizoctonia repens

Provides essential nutrients to the orchid's roots.

Shelter

Douglas-fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Thrives in the cool shade provided by its canopy.

Eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Its leaves might occasionally be browsed by deer.

Traits

Spotted

Marked with spots or patches of a different color.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Evergreen

Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not touch plants without asking an adult, as some may not be safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Western Rattlesnake Plantain?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Western Rattlesnake Plantain?

10-40 cm

How wide does Western Rattlesnake Plantain spread?

15-30 cm

How big are the flowers on Western Rattlesnake Plantain?

0.5-1 cm

When does Western Rattlesnake Plantain bloom?

Summer

Is Western Rattlesnake Plantain edible?

Is Western Rattlesnake Plantain toxic?

None

What is Western Rattlesnake Plantain's lifecycle?