Listera cordata
Heart-leaved twayblade
(c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Listera cordata (Heart-leaved twayblade) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by heart-shaped leaf base and deeply 2-lobed lip.
Heart-leaved twayblade is a California native perennial found in the North Coast and Klamath Ranges in moist, shady conifer forests at elevations of 100 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate orchid produces small, intricate green to brownish-green flowers with a distinctive heart-shaped lip. Growing 6 to 25 centimeters tall with slender, erect stems, the plant emerges from thin underground structures. Its single pair of leaves are broadly heart-shaped, 1 to 4 centimeters long, positioned near the base of the plant. The flower's unique lip features two short teeth at its base and is deeply divided into two lobes, creating an intricate botanical design characteristic of this rare woodland orchid.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are heart-shaped leaf base and deeply 2-lobed lip
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, shady conifer forests
Elevation: 100-1300 m
California counties: Mendocino, Del Norte, Humboldt, Nevada
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, Eurasia
Bloom period
Listera cordata blooms Mar-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
How to tell it apart
vs Platanthera: Listera has exactly two opposite leaves at mid-stem, while Platanthera has several alternate leaves up the stem.; vs Epipactis: Listera has exactly two opposite leaves at mid-stem, while Epipactis has multiple pleated leaves arranged alternately up the stem.; vs Goodyera: Listera has two leaves at mid-stem, while Goodyera has a basal rosette of leaves at ground level.; vs Spiranthes: Listera has two broad leaves at mid-stem, while Spiranthes has narrow leaves clustered near the base.; vs Piperia: Listera has two broad leaves at mid-stem, while Piperia has basal leaves that often wither before flowering.
Frequently asked questions
Is Listera cordata native to California?
Yes. Listera cordata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Listera cordata bloom?
Listera cordata blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Listera cordata grow?
Listera cordata occurs in Mendocino, Del Norte, Humboldt, Nevada, at elevations of 100-1300 m.
What plant family does Listera cordata belong to?
Listera cordata is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Listera.
Is Listera cordata rare or endangered?
Listera cordata carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.