Sunday, September 29, 2013

Rattlesnake Plantain

Found this basal leaf whorl in the little wood today.
It has appeared between to a clump of Heart's-a-Busting (Euonymus americanus)
 and an old oak tree we had cut down a few years ago.
It is Goodyera pubescens the so called rattlesnake plantain but my wildflower book lists it as an orchid.

Apparently native Americans used it medicinally to treat snake bites hence the common name.
I guess I missed the small flower spike this summer  or maybe it has yet to bloom.
Interesting furry leaves even if it has no flower.

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