Isotria medeoloides (Pursh) Rafinesque. Common name: Small Whorled Pogonia, Little Five-leaves. Phenology: May-Jun. Habitat: Acidic mesic to dry-mesic forests, in the mountains and upper Piedmont usually with Pinus strobus. Distribution: Widespread (but very local) in ne. North America, from s. ME and MI south to c. and e. WV, w. VA, w. NC, e. TN, and n. GA.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Other Comments: The reproductive biology of this species was studied by Vitt & Campbell (1997). Van Alstine et al. (1996) discussed the habitats of known occurrences in Virginia.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Can, F, FNA26, G, Il, K4, Mi, Mo1, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, Tn, Va, W, Correll (1950), Luer (1975); = Isotria affinis (Austin) Rydb. — S; = n/a — S13, Tat; = Pogonia affinis Austin. Basionym: Arethusa medeoloides Pursh 1814
Links to other floras: = Isotria medeoloides - FNA26
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 2
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© Jim Fowler | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Jim Fowler | Original Image ⭷
© Jim Fowler | Original Image ⭷
© Jim Fowler | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of acidic moist or dry-to-moist forests, in the Mountains and upper Piedmont usually with Pinus strobus.
Stems: Stem unbranched, whitish-green with a powdery coating.
Leaves: Leaves in a whorl at top of stem where flowering stalk begins, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 1-2 1/2 in. long, often drooping, light green.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers 1--2 on a stalk emerging from the center of the leaf whorl, bilaterally symmetric, consisting of 3 green, spreading, linear-oblong sepals (½--1¼ in. long), 2 yellowish-greenish petals forming a hood, and a white, slightly down-curved lip-petal with wavy-edged tip and yellowish-green bumps (crests).
Fruits: Fruit a ribbed, elliptical capsule.
Comments:
Height: 3-10 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial of acidic moist or dry-to-moist forests, in the Mountains and upper Piedmont usually with Pinus strobus.
stems: Stem unbranched, whitish-green with a powdery coating.
leaves: Leaves in a whorl at top of stem where flowering stalk begins, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 1-2 1/2 in. long, often drooping, light green.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers 1--2 on a stalk emerging from the center of the leaf whorl, bilaterally symmetric, consisting of 3 green, spreading, linear-oblong sepals (½--1¼ in. long), 2 yellowish-greenish petals forming a hood, and a white, slightly down-curved lip-petal with wavy-edged tip and yellowish-green bumps (crests).
fruits: Fruit a ribbed, elliptical capsule.
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cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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