"Goodyera pubescens... Keeping an eye out for the distinctive basal rosette of three or more white-veined, evergreen leaves helps you discover the three-to-six-inch-tall flowering spike of snow-white flowers at the end of mid-summer. ... find it in piney woods and hardwoods forest everywhere.
Whenever... hiking at this time of year in our far-western mountain forests, be on the lookout for a miniature version of this orchid, Goodyera repens, lesser rattlesnake plantain. It is smaller in every way and the white orchid flowers are usually clustered on one side of the flowering stem rather than surrounding it... find it on mossy ground in moist conifer forests and beneath rhododendron. ... its... Latin name, Goodyera, honors John Goodyer (1592-1664, who assisted with the preparation of one of the editions of John Gerard's... Herball... medicinal plant use. The species name, pubescens, is physically descriptive; a close look at the flower cluster will reveal a... pubescent or downy-haired flower stem and an even closer look will reveal that the flowers... are downy. James Duke's Handbook of Northeastern Indian Medicinal Plants describes the uses of specific tribes. The Seneca used the herb for nervousness; the Delaware made root decoctions for pleurisy and rheumatism; the Cherokee applied wilted leaves to burns; soaked the leaves in water to make an ooze for sore eyes; made a tea for colds, kidney ailments and toothaches; and... added whiskey to improve the appetite. ... the medicinal heritage is a... reflection back to a time when the Earth was far less burdened with human population. Why is it called rattlesnake plantain?... There is.... a... snake connection. ... in... Paul Green Plant Book. "This pretty tufted, white, vein-leaved plant appears in all parts of the Cape Fear River Valley. It has been reputed to be a cure for hydrophobia and snakebite. Legend tells that the Indians had such faith in its virtues that they were not afraid of snakebites at all and, when bitten, would apply these leaves to the wound and soon go on as if nothing had happened." ..." URL : http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/2008/08/21/another-little-woodland-orchid/ photos : 1) caption : "The downy rattlesnake plantain has a rosette of distinctive white veined, evergreen leaves." http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/rattlesnake.jpg 2) caption : "downy covering of pubescence on the stems and the flowers of downy rattlesnake plantain." http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/rattlesnake_1.jpg ************* Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
