[Orchids of the Cascade Mt. Range of Oregon and Washinton]
Giant Rattlesnake Plantain, Green-leaf Rattlesnake-plantain, Rattlesnake Plantain, Western Rattlesnake Plantain
Goodyera oblongifolia
Synonyms: Goodyera decipiens, Goodyera oblongifolia var. reticulata, Peramium decipiens, Peramium menziesii
Rattlesnake plantain as seen along the Klickitat Trail #7 in forest between Jackpot Lake and Cispus Point, Gifford Pinchot National Forest........July 4, 2015.
Characteristics:
Rattlesnake plantain is an evergreen perennial to 45 cm tall. A single, stout
stem arises from dark green, basal leaves. Each leaf has a white midrib. The
leaves are oval, oblong, or narrowly elliptical in shape, and range from 3 to
10 cm in length.
The flowers are dull-white to greenish. The upper sepal and petals form
a hood over the lower lip. The flowers are numerous in a terminal spike. Most
of the flowers orient themselves to face one side.
Habitat:
Rattlesnake plantain is found in moist, shady, coniferous forests in humus
soil, often amongst clumps of moss. It may be found from low elevations to middle
elevations in the mountains.
Range:
Rattlesnake plantain is found from Alaska eastward to Nova Scotia. In the
east it is found as far south as Maine in the east, and Minnesota in the west.
Further west, it is found over much of the mountainous west, and extends as
far south as Mexico. It is found in both Oregon and Washington.
This photo shows a close-up of the white-veined leaf of western rattlesnake plantain as seen atop King Mountain in the Umpqua National Forest.......June 25, 2005.
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The photo at left shows a close-up of the basal rosette of white-veined leaves of western rattlesnake plantain as seen atop King Mountain in the Umpqua National Forest.........June 25, 2005. The photo at right shows the basal leaves of western rattlesnake plantain as seen along the Lewis River Trail #31, Gifford Pinchot National Forest............May 3, 2015.
Photo above shows rattlesnake plantain from the trail between Rainy and North
Lakes, Mark Hatfield Wilderness........mid August, 1994.
Paul Slichter