Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens) is a plant that looks very delicate, though it is an evergreen. This is what it looks like in the middle of the winter. And it occasionally lives on rock surfaces rather than in soil. A mighty tough plant.

It’s one of the 64 species of Orchid that are native to Virginia. Blooming in July and August. A single 10 to 20 inch stalk emerging from the center of the swirl of leaves topped by a spike-like cluster of 30 to 50 tiny white flowers.

These evergreen leaves are quite the surprise to find in freezing cold temperatures like we’re having now.

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