Western Rattlesnake Plantain
Goodyera oblongifolia
Also listed as Goodyera decipiens, Peramium decipiens
Also known as Menzies' Giant Rattlesnake-plantain, Menzies' Rattlesnake Plantain, Large-leaved Rattlesnake-plantain
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing orchid native to western North America, featuring attractive mottled green and white rosette leaves and delicate white flowers on tall spikes. Best grown in shaded woodland gardens with consistent moisture and organic-rich soil.
Why grow it
Western Rattlesnake Plantain is valued in woodland gardens for its ornamental foliage, which remains attractive year-round where hardy, and its modest stature relative to other native orchids. Unlike many shade-loving groundcovers, it establishes without aggressive spreading, making it suitable for naturalized areas where you want visual interest without active management. The combination of persistent mottled leaves and late-summer flowering provides extended seasonal appeal in Pacific Northwest and mountain woodland settings.
Watch out for
This species can be slow to establish and demands consistent moisture without waterlogging, so initial site preparation with well-draining organic matter is important. In cultivation, it may take several seasons to reach flowering size, and transplanting established plants is often less reliable than starting from nursery stock or divisions. Avoid compacting soil around plants during establishment, as root disturbance can set back growth significantly.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Orchidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing orchid native to western North America, featuring attractive mottled green and white rosette leaves and delicate white flowers on tall spikes. Best grown in shaded woodland gardens with consistent moisture and organic-rich soil.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Western Rattlesnake Plantain grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Western Rattlesnake Plantain is valued in woodland gardens for its ornamental foliage, which remains attractive year-round where hardy, and its modest stature relative to other native orchids. Unlike many shade-loving groundcovers, it establishes without aggressive spreading, making it suitable for naturalized areas where you want visual interest without active management. The combination of persistent mottled leaves and late-summer flowering provides extended seasonal appeal in Pacific Northwest and mountain woodland settings.
Watch out for
This species can be slow to establish and demands consistent moisture without waterlogging, so initial site preparation with well-draining organic matter is important. In cultivation, it may take several seasons to reach flowering size, and transplanting established plants is often less reliable than starting from nursery stock or divisions. Avoid compacting soil around plants during establishment, as root disturbance can set back growth significantly.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Orchidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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