Goodyera oblongifolia
Rattlesnake-plantain
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Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Goodyera oblongifolia (Rattlesnake-plantain) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by Only Goodyera species in California, transcontinental boreal species.
Rattlesnake-plantain is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, central western California, and the Modoc Plateau in dry to mesic conifer forests at elevations below 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white flowers with a distinctive orchid-like structure, arranged in a dense inflorescence. Growing 18 to 35 centimeters tall with an upright habit, it emerges from the decomposing forest floor with slender stems. Its leaves are 4 to 9 centimeters long, ranging from lanceolate to wide-elliptic, creating a low rosette against the forest floor. The delicate white flowers feature green-brown sepals and a white corolla lip, creating a subtle and elegant woodland presence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Goodyera species in California, transcontinental boreal species
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry to mesic conifer forest, in decomposing leaf litter
Elevation: < 2200 m
California counties: Trinity, Butte, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Tuolumne, Mendocino, Plumas, Inyo, Tehama, Mariposa, Fresno, Madera, Del Norte, El Dorado, Modoc, Marin, Placer, Yuba, Shasta, Calaveras, Lake, Sonoma, Nevada, Tulare
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, Mexico
Bloom period
Goodyera oblongifolia blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Pyrola: Goodyera leaves have white netted veining and produce orchid flowers with a lip petal, while Pyrola has plain green leaves and round 5-petaled flowers.; vs Platanthera: Goodyera has a basal rosette with patterned leaves, while Platanthera has folded green leaves going up the stem.; vs Listera: Goodyera has a basal rosette of leaves, while Listera has exactly two opposite leaves at mid-stem.; vs Epipactis: Goodyera has a basal rosette of patterned leaves, while Epipactis has pleated leaves arranged up the stem.; vs Spiranthes: Goodyera leaves form a neat circular rosette often with white veining, while Spiranthes leaves cluster at base without organized pattern.
Frequently asked questions
Is Goodyera oblongifolia native to California?
Yes. Goodyera oblongifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Goodyera oblongifolia bloom?
Goodyera oblongifolia blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Goodyera oblongifolia grow?
Goodyera oblongifolia occurs in Trinity, Butte, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Tuolumne, Mendocino, Plumas, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of < 2200 m.
What plant family does Goodyera oblongifolia belong to?
Goodyera oblongifolia is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Goodyera.
What habitat does Goodyera oblongifolia grow in?
Goodyera oblongifolia grows in dry to mesic conifer forest, in decomposing leaf litter.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.