Putnam Park Wildflowers


Flower ID: IMG_7983.JPG-08-01-2023
Flower name (scientific): Goodyera pubescens (Willdenow) Robert Brown (R.Br.) PY: 1813. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) GOOD-yer-uh pew-BES-ens
Flower name (common): Downy Rattlesnake Plantain
Family name (common): Orchid
Family name (scientific): Orchidaceae
Scientific name origin:
     Genus: Named to honor the English botanist John Goodyer (1592 – 1664).
    Specific epithet: Downy-hairy.
Common name origin: Downy reflects the hairy nature of the plant. The distinctive venation pattern on the leaves supposedly has a snake-like appearance. The leaves of this plant have a (vague) resemblance to the leaves of the common plantain.
Flower description:
     Size: 0.2 to 0.3 inches (5 to 8 mm)
     Petal count: 3 petals and 3 sepals
     Color: white
     Other: flower arrangement, Raceme
Plant description:
     Size: 8 to 16 inches (20 to 41 cm)
     Stem hairy:
     Other:
Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple
     Size:
     Color:
     Hairy:
     Other: Shape: leaf, broadly elliptic to broadly ovate (FNA), ovate or broadly elliptic (IL)
Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native
Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon
Bloom time (typical): July to September
Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial
Habitat: Woods, forests, dry to moist, acidic soilds, semi shade to shade.
Fruit:
Seed:
Importance to wildlife:
Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes, even when not in full bloom. The dark green leaves of Goodyera pubescens with their white midribs and striking white-veined venation pattern aid in identification of this species, and help separate it from other Goodyera species in the region, including Goodyera oblongifolia (Giant Rattlesnake Plantain), Goodyera repens (Lesser Rattlesnake Plantain), and Goodyera tesselata (Checkered Rattlesnake Plantain).
Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Cherokee, Delaware, amd Mohegan used the plant for a variety of ailments including burns, colds, sore eyes, and others (Moerman, p. 251, 1998).
Latitude: 44.692828
Longitude: -91.583677
Altitude: 336.70
Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map
In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map
In Canada: (NB, NS, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map
References:
Synonym(s):
Basionym: Neottia pubescens Willdenow Sp. Pl. 4(1): 76. 1805.
Homotypic Synonym(s):
Heterotypic Synonym(s):
Autonym: na
Wetland Status (NC): FACU
Wetland Status (MW): FAC