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Mysterious Understory Plant

Posted by m_taggart North Carolina (My Page) on
Sun, Sep 9, 07 at 19:56

I went camping in southeast West Virginia and found this odd looking little plant directly off the hiking trail. The forest had a lot of hemlocks and rhodies. Does anyone know what this plant is? I've tried to identify it, but I'm not having any luck. Your help is appreciated.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/M_Taggart/100_0244.jpg


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Mysterious Understory Plant

That is Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens), not a plantain at all but a member of the orchid family. Not a bad specimen, they are fairly rare.


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RE: Mysterious Understory Plant

I think rare is relative. I have them naturally on my property and they pop up in paths that I've created (and they weren't there when I created the path, I looked!).

It's a wonderful little plant, evergreen here in Georgia and a delight to spot during the dull days of winter. Up close the pattern on the leaves is just exquisite.

Nice picture.

Here is a link that might be useful: Your picture


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RE: Mysterious Understory Plant

Aren't you lucky to be in zone 7. During the dull days of winter we just get to look at snow.


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RE: Mysterious Understory Plant

yea definitely a rattlesnake plantain. Ive got all kinds over her in east kentucky


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RE: Mysterious Understory Plant

Wow , Really a cool looking plant that Rattlesnake plantain...anyone know if it is an annual or perenial and would it be found up here near Lake Erie in Pennsylvania ???
Would love to get my hands on one of them. Has anyone ever seen them in a nursery ? I dont recall ever seeing them in the woods here ,but I dont know what time of the year they show up and how long they remain till they die back....Tom


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RE: Mysterious Understory Plant

In my area it is perennial and evergreen. Here is the distribution in PA according to the USDA Plants database.

Here is a link that might be useful: Goodyera distribution in Pennsylvania


 
 

 

 


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