Generally classed as Jewel Orchids, several species are known for their variegated or veined foliage, and are known to those collectors who specialise in Jewel Orchids.
Goodyera hispida is such a species, prized for its very beautiful foliage of emerald green, slightly flushed pink, with prominent silver veins and reticulation.
Goodyera hispida extends from India to Malaya, and seems to be tolerant of our tropical climate when grown in a shady position in a well drained media that keeps the roots damp, but not wet.
Derivation of genus name: Commemorating John Goodyer (1592-1664), an English plant collector and botanist, the genus was described by Robert Brown in 1813.
Type species: Goodyera repens (Linne) R. Brown, Basionym: Satyrium repens Linne
Characteristics of the genus: The creeping rhizome of the plants bury their roots in the forest humus.
www.orchidspng.com /Goodyera.html (196 words)
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-14)
There is no good evidence that the plant has any medical value and in any event it is too rare to collect.
Goodyera pubescens is spreads by rhizomes, but is very slow to spread.
I read that people used to collect it for use in terrariums, but there are many more plants than can be bought to use instead, such as Fittonia (Nerve Plant).
I saw a very similar plant in Colorado, Goodyera oblongifolia.
Locations of "Goodyera repens" (common name: Northern rattlesnake plantain) populations on this forest.
"Goodyera repens" populations were determined and drafted onto 1:24,000 scale 7 1/2 minute paper quadrangles by Wayne Phillips of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
These areas were then digitized, edited and attributed by Lori Wollan.
Checkered rattlesnake-plantain has leaves with soft green markings.
It can be distinguished from Connecticut's other two species, downy rattlesnake-plantain (the most common species) and dwarf rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera repens), both of which have bright silver markings on their leaves.
However, checkered rattlesnake-plantain and dwarf rattlesnake-plantain can hybridize to plants with intermediate markings, so identification is sometimes difficult.
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