Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens) is in the Orchids family (Orchidaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,652 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Downy Rattlesnake Plantain: observations by month (U.S.)
About Downy Rattlesnake Plantain
Goodyera pubescens, the downy rattlesnake plantain, is one of the most common orchids native to eastern North America. It is found from Florida to Nova Scotia, west to eastern Oklahoma, Minnesota and Ontario.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 445 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Virginia | 135 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Ohio | 120 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Tennessee | 107 | August | Jul–Aug |
| West Virginia | 84 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 82 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Kentucky | 74 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 69 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 66 | August | Jul–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 55 | August | Aug–Aug |
| New York | 51 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Maryland | 48 | July | Jul–Aug |
| South Carolina | 46 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Georgia | 38 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Maine | 35 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Connecticut | 32 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Michigan | 26 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Vermont | 25 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Indiana | 20 | July | Jul–Aug |
| New Jersey | 19 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Illinois | 16 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Minnesota | 16 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Arkansas | 12 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Alabama | 9 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Rhode Island | 9 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Missouri | 6 | August | Aug–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Orchids)
Pink Lady's Slipper
Showy Orchis
Yellow Lady's Slipper
Spotted Coralroot
Crane-Fly Orchid
Tuberous Grasspink
Showy Lady's Slipper
Pale Grasspink
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Downy Rattlesnake Plantain?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from July to August.
Where is Downy Rattlesnake Plantain most often seen?
The most observations come from North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio.