Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda
White bog adder's-mouth
Superior National Forest (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda (White bog adder's-mouth) is a native California perennial in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by Rare circumboreal species at southern range limit; distinctive single-leaf orchid morphology.
White bog adder's-mouth is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in the San Bernardino Mountains in wet meadows and shaded conifer forest areas at elevations of 2,200 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from July to August, this delicate orchid produces tiny green to yellow flowers with distinctive triangular lips and linear petals. Growing with a bulb-like caudex to 15 centimeters tall, the plant emerges with a single wide-lanceolate leaf 4 to 5.5 centimeters long. Its leaf is notable for having a prominent sheath 2 to 3 centimeters long and a triangular shape with a cordate base. The small flowers feature narrow-lanceolate sepals and a beak-like lip tip, creating an intricate miniature botanical structure characteristic of this rare orchid.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Rare circumboreal species at southern range limit; distinctive single-leaf orchid morphology
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, shaded places, conifer forest
Elevation: 2200-2800 m
Outside California: to Alaska, northeastern North America, also Colorado
Bloom period
Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Listera: Malaxis has one basal leaf and many tiny flowers; Listera has two opposite stem leaves.; vs Platanthera: Malaxis has one grass-like basal leaf; Platanthera has multiple stem leaves present at flowering.; vs Epipactis: Malaxis is tiny with one basal leaf; Epipactis is robust with multiple broad stem leaves.; vs Goodyera: Malaxis has one grass-like leaf; Goodyera has multiple evergreen leaves with white vein patterns.; vs Spiranthes: Malaxis flowers in straight spike; Spiranthes flowers arranged in obvious spiral pattern.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda native to California?
Yes. Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda bloom?
Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda belong to?
Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Malaxis.
Is Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda rare or endangered?
Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda grow in?
Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda grows in Wet meadows, shaded places, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.