Goodyera pubescens (Wisconsin's Mill Bluff State Park)

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchids (Goodyera pubescens)

My next wild orchid encounter happened while hiking through Mill Bluff State Park in Wisconsin. A cluster of Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid) was in full bloom right next to one of the lightly trafficked trails. There are four species of Goodyera orchids native to North America: G. pubescens, G. oblongifolia,  G. repens, G. tesselata. As I travelled west, I luckily had the chance to encounter a couple different Goodyera species!

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=GOPU

Also known as the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid, G. pubescence can be found across many eastern and central states, growing in the acidic soils of upland woods. The orchid's common name refers to the fine downy hairs that cover all parts of the plant, especially its bloom spike (the latin genus name is a reference to 17th century English botanist John Goodyer. 

Lightly trafficked trails in Mill Bluff State park, near where G. pubescens was found

G. pubescens blooms with a tightly-packed inflorescence bearing dozens of small white flowers. Another distinctive feature is its brightly colored foliage, which stays green even through the winter. These tessellated leaves very much reminded me of the tropical Jewel orchids (Ludisia sp). The leaves have been used in traditional medicine as treatments for snakebites, burns and other ailments. The orchid is considered threatened or endangered in several areas, but commercial cultivars are available from multiple sources.

White-veined leaves of the G. pubescens orchids

Goodyera pubescens closeup