Rattlesnake Plantain

Goodyera oblongifolia

• Hul’qumi’num Name:  kwul’heen
• Description: Evergreen perennial herb, stems from 20 – 45cm tall, with exquisite dark green striped leaves. Delicate inflorescences of white flowers are borne on long stalks.
• Habitat: Dry to moist coniferous forests.
• Pair with: Sword fern, trailing blackberry, Douglas-fir, and western redcedar.
• Fun Fact:  Early settlers believed this orchid could cure snake bites because of the unique snakeskin-like markings on the leaves. This turned out to be wrong. This delicate plant is not a plantain at all – it is actually an orchid!