Neottia convallarioides
Broad-leaved twayblade
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Neottia convallarioides (Broad-leaved twayblade) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by lip size and tip shape.
Broad-leaved twayblade is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in moist, shady conifer forests at elevations of 800 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small, delicate white to greenish flowers with a distinctive narrow, notched lip 8 to 13 millimeters long. Growing 10 to 35 centimeters tall with slender, erect stems emerging from underground structures. Its leaves are broad, with blades 2.5 to 7 centimeters long, abruptly tapered or rounded at the base. The flower's unique lip, which is roughly oblanceolate and narrows to a thin claw, gives this orchid its distinctive appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are lip size and tip shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, shady conifer forest
Elevation: 800-2900 m
California counties: Riverside, Fresno, Lassen, El Dorado, Lake, Siskiyou, Plumas, Butte, Kern, Placer, Mariposa, San Bernardino, Trinity, Tuolumne, Del Norte, Tehama, Modoc, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Glenn, Shasta, Sierra, Mendocino, Calaveras, Nevada, Colusa, Humboldt, Alpine
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, Arizona
Bloom period
Neottia convallarioides blooms May-Aug.
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 Neottia convallarioides native to California?
Yes. Neottia convallarioides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Neottia convallarioides bloom?
Neottia convallarioides blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Neottia convallarioides grow?
Neottia convallarioides occurs in Riverside, Fresno, Lassen, El Dorado, Lake, Siskiyou, Plumas, Butte and other counties, at elevations of 800-2900 m.
What plant family does Neottia convallarioides belong to?
Neottia convallarioides is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Neottia.
What habitat does Neottia convallarioides grow in?
Neottia convallarioides grows in Moist, shady conifer forest.
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.