Goodyera pubescens

Last updated

Downy rattlesnake plantain
Goodyera pubescens.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Cranichideae
Genus: Goodyera
Species:
G. pubescens
Binomial name
Goodyera pubescens
Synonyms [3]
  • Neottia pubescensWilld.
  • Orchiodes pubescens(Willd.) Kuntze
  • Peramium pubescens(Willd.) Curtiss ex Small & Vail
  • Epipactis willdenoviiHouse
  • Tussaca reticulataRaf.
  • Goodyera pubescens var. minorSims
  • Peramium tesselatumA.Heller

Goodyera pubescens, the downy rattlesnake plantain (also known as Peramium pubescens [4] ), is one of the most common orchids native to eastern North America. It is found from Florida to Nova Scotia, west to eastern Oklahoma, Minnesota and Ontario. [3] [5]

Contents

Goodyera pubescens is an evergreen terrestrial herb with variegated leaves. The variegation is in the form of a densely reticulated network of veins that are a much lighter green than the rest of the leaf tissue. It is a creeping plant that divides on the ground surface and sends out short stolons. It may be terrestrial or, occasionally, epipetric, growing on rock shelves. It prefers mildly to moderately acidic soils, such as in oak-heath forests. [6]

Description

Goodyera pubescens is a plant in the Orchidaceae (orchid) family that is commonly found in North America. The genus Goodyera are terrestrial plants with a fleshy rhizome with basal evergreen leaves in a rosette pattern - frequently having white or pale green markings. Inflorescences are in the form of a spike of small flowers, usually white with green or brown markings and have fragrant odor. Most of the plants, excluding and petals, are covered in small hairs. The primary difference between Goodyera and Spiranthes (A similar genus in the family Orchidaceae) is that Goodyera have elliptic leaves with white or pale green markings. [7]

Goodyera pubescens flowers in mid July-early September with a small spike inflorescence of between 10 and 57 cylindric flowers. The leaves have the white-green marbling in the form of veins throughout, broadly elliptic to broadly ovate (2.1-6.2 x 1.3–3 cm), with either an acute or obtuse apex. The peduncle (stem that connects the stalk to a floret) is 11–35 cm long. Flowers: Lateral sepals 3.1 - 5.3 mm long with distinct petals of 3.6 - 5.7mm. The petals lip is scrotiform (pouch shaped) 2.5 - 4.2 x 2.2 - 3.5mm in size with the apex reflexed (bent outwards) with a slightly tuberculate (bumpy/rough) outer surface. The inner surface is smoother but has thicker veins throughout. The anthers are inflexed (bent inwards) within a cup-shaped clinandrium (an orchid structure beneath the anther). [4] The white flowers are usually atop a leafless stalk. [8]

There are similar species within the genus Goodyera that G. pubescens can be confused with. The Dwarf Rattlesnake plantain G. repens has smaller flowers that only have inflorescence on one side of the stalk. Both G. tesselata and G. oblongifolia are only found in Canada. Goodyera tesselata can be differentiated by its dull green leaves with much paler veins, G. oblongifolia leaves only have one primary vein compared to the more dense network of veins of G. pubescens. All of the rattlesnake plantains (Goodyera) are described as such because their venation resembles snakeskin. [8]

Distribution and habitat

Goodyerapubescens is found through much of the eastern part of North America, ranging from Florida all the way north to Ontario, going as far west as Oklahoma. (USA: 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; Canada: NB, NS, ON, QC. [8] [9] )

Goodyera pubescens thrives in mesic to dry forests. This species prefers well drained, slightly acidic soil with a somewhat high sand content. It requires a high amount of shade from shaded canopy or shrubs, but smaller shrubs can easily overtake it. High drainage is essential since orchids can have problems with the soil being over-saturated, often leading to the death of the plant. [9] You can find this species growing in both dry and moist conditions, with a soil mixture of a sandy loam, or loam with a high clay content. It can also be found in deciduous or coniferous forests since they provide the necessary partial shade. [8] Goodyera pubescens also functions as a National Wetland Indicator Species. [10]

Wetland Status Codes [9]
Region Status Code
Eastern Mountains and PiedmontFACU
Atlantic Gulf Coastal PlainUPL
MidwestFAC
Northcentral & NortheastFACU

Ecology

Goodyera pubescens along a mountain trail in central New Hampshire. GoodyeraPubescens.jpg
Goodyera pubescens along a mountain trail in central New Hampshire.

Compared to other orchid genera, Goodyera is fairly hardy, surviving more readily in colder conditions, being able to utilize a wider variety of nutrients, and thriving in more types of soil under more broad lighting conditions. [11] Goodyera pubescens has a germination rate of over 90% even in very cold climates, which is why it is found in very cold climates such as the northern US and Canada. [11] This species prefers loamy soils or humus, but it will also grow into decaying wood of Liriodendron tulipifera or Quercus alba with a preference towards woody substrates with a high amount of fungal activity. [11] However, the rhizomes of G. pubescens cannot survive particularly harsh winters in the northern edge of its distribution. [12]

Goodyera pubescens grows via a rhizome in a colonial pattern, flowering only once a year at maturity of 4–8 years of age. After flowering the root will have one to three offshoots which then generate new rosettes, creating offspring after the parent plant dies. Most G. pubescens individuals do not survive long enough to reach the age of maturity. The mature rosettes flower after being triggered by a dry period in the spring (usually in May) when there is higher than average temperatures. These specific circumstances may not occur in a season and can take several years to occur, explaining the long maturity time. [12] White-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) have a preference towards eating the leaves, rosettes, and inflorescences. As deer populations have increased over the last several decades, the number of rosettes per plant has increased to counter the number that get consumed by deer. [12]    

Uses

Goodyera pubescens is largely just seen as a plant kept for visual aesthetic reasons in wildflower plantings due to its interesting leaf structure and resilience. [9] It was once used historically as a medicinal plant by Native Americans for curing numerous ailments. The roots were made into a tea for treating lung inflammation/breathing pain and for snakebites. The leaves were used to improve appetite, cold treatment, kidney problems, joint pain reducer, or even for toothaches. The wilted leaves were used to cool burns, to deal with skin ulcers, or as a pain reliever. [13] [14] These are historical or cultural uses and are no longer currently recommended. [15]

Conservation status

This is one of the more common species of orchids found throughout the U.S., and for the most part is not considered threatened or at risk. The only places it is of concern are in Florida and New York. In Florida this species is considered endangered. [16] In New York it is considered exploitably vulnerable. [9]

Taxonomy

The genus Goodyera is also colloquially called the rattlesnake plantain. This is because of the snake-like venation pattern that this genus has on the leaves. Goodyera pubescens was first defined in 1813 in the Hortus Kewensis 2nd edition volume 5. [17] Goodyera pubescens is the accepted name of this species, and the only legitimate name. [18]

Horticulture and cultivation

This orchid is of a desirable aesthetic to many gardeners, but keeping it alive in a non-wild setting is challenging. The infrequent sunlight, acidic soil, high fungal activity, and drainage required makes difficult to cultivate in gardens. It is only found in specialty nurseries since taking it from the wild is not condoned and will likely kill the specimen. [15]

Related Research Articles

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Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae, a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Orchids are cosmopolitan plants that are found in almost every habitat on Earth except glaciers. The world's richest diversity of orchid genera and species is found in the tropics.

<i>Cypripedium</i> Genus of flowering plants in the orchid family Orchidaceae

Cypripedium is a genus of 58 species and nothospecies of hardy orchids; it is one of five genera that together compose the subfamily of lady's slipper orchids (Cypripedioideae). They are widespread across much of the Northern Hemisphere, including most of Europe and Africa (Algeria), Russia, China, Central Asia, Canada the United States, Mexico, and Central America. They are most commonly known as slipper orchids, lady's slipper orchids, or ladyslippers; other common names include moccasin flower, camel's foot, squirrel foot, steeple cap, Venus' shoes, and whippoorwill shoe. An abbreviation used in trade journals is "Cyp." The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek Κύπρις (Kúpris), an early reference in Greek myth to Aphrodite, and πέδιλον (pédilon), meaning "sandal".

<i>Phragmipedium</i> Genus of orchids

Phragmipedium is a genus of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae) and the only genus comprised in the tribe Phragmipedieae and subtribe Phragmipediinae. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek phragma, which means "division", and pedium, which means "slipper". It is abbreviated 'Phrag' in trade journals.

<i>Orchis purpurea</i> Species of orchid

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<i>Goodyera repens</i> Species of orchid

Goodyera repens, an orchid in the genus Goodyera, is called by the common name creeping lady's-tresses in Anglophone Europe and dwarf rattlesnake plantain or lesser rattlesnake plantain in North America.

<i>Pachystoma</i> Genus of orchids

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<i>Cephalanthera longifolia</i> Species of orchid

Cephalanthera longifolia, the narrow-leaved helleborine, sword-leaved helleborine or long-leaved helleborine, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant in the family Orchidaceae. It is native to light woodland, and widespread across Europe, Asia and North Africa from Ireland and Morocco to China. This includes the United Kingdom, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Algeria, India, Pakistan, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and many other countries.

<i>Spiranthes spiralis</i> Species of orchid

Spiranthes spiralis, commonly known as autumn lady's-tresses, is an orchid that grows in Europe and adjacent North Africa and Asia. It is a small grey-green plant. It forms a rosette of four to five pointed, sessile, ovate leaves about 3 cm (1.2 in) in length. In late summer an unbranched stem of about 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) tall is produced with approximately four sheath-shaped leaves. The white flowers are about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and have a green spot on the lower lip. They are arranged in a helix around the upper half of the stalk. The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES as a species that is not currently threatened with extinction but that may become so. Autumn lady's-tresses are legally protected in Belgium and the Netherlands, and in some regions of France.

<i>Goodyera tesselata</i> Species of orchid

Goodyera tesselata is a plant in the orchid family (Orchidaceae), called by the common name checkered rattlesnake plantain. It is native to eastern Canada from Manitoba to Newfoundland, and to the northeastern United States from Maine to Maryland, west to Minnesota.

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References

  1. NatureServe (2 February 2024). "Goodyera pubescens". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. Robert Brown in W.T.Aiton, Hortus Kewensis 5: 198 (1813).
  3. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. 1 2 "Goodyera pubescens in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  5. Biota of North America Program county distribution map
  6. Flora of North America v 26 p 515, Goodyera pubescens
  7. "Genus: Goodyera (Rattlesnake Plantain)". Go Orchids. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Berg, Norman (February 2010). "Downy rattlesnake plantain Goodyera pubescens (Willd.) R. Br" (PDF). USDA Plants Database.
  10. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2016). "National Wetland Plant List, version 3.3".
  11. 1 2 3 Whigham, Dennis; O'Neill, Jay; McCormick; Smith; Daniell; Rasmussen; Caldwell (2002). "Interactions between decomposing wood, mycorrhizas, and terrestrial orchid seeds and protocorms". Trends and fluctuations and underlying mechanisms in terrestrial orchid populations. Backhuys Publishers. pp. 117–131. hdl:10088/18417. ISBN   9789057821233.
  12. 1 2 3 Reddoch, Joyce M.; Reddoch, Allan H. (2013-01-23). "The Impact of Deer Herbivory and Drought on Population Growth of Goodyera pubescens (Orchidaceae) in Southwestern Quebec". The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 126 (3): 242–244. doi: 10.22621/cfn.v126i3.1369 . ISSN   0008-3550.
  13. Foster, Steven; Duke, James A.; National Audubon Society; National Wildlife Federation; Roger Tory Peterson Institute (1990). A field guide to medicinal plants : eastern and central North America . Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN   0395467225. OCLC   20852982.
  14. Moerman, Daniel E. Native American ethnobotany. Portland, Oregon. ISBN   0881924539. OCLC   38002531.
  15. 1 2 "Wildflower of the Year 2016, Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlesnake Plantain)". Virginia Native Plant Society. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  16. "Goodyera pubescens - Species Details". Atlas of Florida Plants. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  17. "IPNI Publication Details". www.ipni.org. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  18. "Goodyera pubescens (Willd.) R.Br. — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2018-11-23.