rattlesnake plantain

Any of various orchids of the genus Goodyera, having mottled or striped leaves and spikes of small whitish flowers.

[From the resemblance of its leaves to a rattlesnake's skin.]

rattlesnake plantain

(Plants) any of various small temperate and tropical orchids of the genus Goodyera, having mottled or striped leaves and spikes of yellowish-white flowers

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Noun

rattlesnake plantain - any of several small temperate and tropical orchids having mottled or striped leaves and spikes of small yellowish-white flowers in a twisted raceme

helleborine

orchid, orchidaceous plant - any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors

genus Goodyera, Goodyera - genus of small orchids of the northern hemisphere with creeping rhizomes and stalked ovate leaves and small flowers

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References in periodicals archive ?

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain has a basal rosette of blue-green leaves with white spider-like veins that stands out on the forest floor.

Wild and beautiful: the wild orchids of Mississippi are rare beauties of the state's wetlands

Lesser-known types include Isotria verticillata, known as the Large Whorled Pogonia; and Goodyera pubescens, the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain.