Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid) -- some of the prettiest leaves of any of our native orchids

This morning, I decided to go up to one of the state's Heritage Preserves to check the status of Tipularia discolor (Crane-fly orchid) and Goodyera pubescens (Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid). I found them both, but they were not in bloom. In fact, both were still in tight spike.

Having not found what I was looking for, I decided to go farther up the road to the Pisgah National Forest north of Brevard, NC. I've always seen good numbers of both species in an area that also has Triphora trianthophora (Three-birds orchid). I knew it was too early for that one, but I should see them begin to poke out of the ground. More about that later...

Here are some images of Goodyera pubescens that were in pretty good shape...