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Questions and Answers: 2021

Question: I found this plant many years ago in the Freeport area while hiking. I brought a small sample home and …

  • Question

    I found this plant many years ago in the Freeport area while hiking. I brought a small sample home and planted it in my yard. Only recently have I questioned what it might be. This sounds crazy but it looks and grows just like a lightning leaf jewel orchid. That shouldn’t be possible, they are tropical.

    Answer

    Dear Fred2995, good afternoon. You have photographed a species of Goodyera (rattlesnake-plantain), native species in the orchid family. It is most likely you have photographed Goodyera pubescens, the most common species in the genus within the northeast. Best wishes.