Neottia convallarioides
Neottia convallarioides is a species of orchid known by the common names broad-lipped twayblade and broad-leaved twayblade. It was formerly placed in the genus Listera, but molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that Neottia nidus-avis, the bird's-nest orchid, evolved within the same group, and all species of Listera have been moved to Neottia.
Description
It is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing 10 to 35 centimeters tall. It has one pair of green oval leaves 2 to 7 cm long near the base of the stem. The inflorescence is a small raceme of green or yellow-green flowers. Each has 3 reflexed lance-shaped sepals, 2 similar petals, and a lobed, wedge-shaped labellum that measures 9 to 13 mm long. The plant sometimes forms large colonies, creating a groundcover. It is known to hybridize with Neottia auriculata.
Taxonomy
Neottia convallarioides was initially given the scientific name Epipactis convallarioides by Olof Swartz in 1800. In 1817 it was moved to the genus Neottia by Louis [Claude Richard], giving the species its accepted name. Together with its genus it is classified in the family Orchidaceae. It has no accepted subspecies, but there is one among its synonyms.
Distribution and habitat
Neottia convallarioides can be found in moist habitats such as woods, forests, swamps, and streambanks. It is native to much of Canada and in parts of the United States. It also reportedly occurs in St. Pierre & Miquelon and on the Komandor Islands in the Bering Sea, part of the Russian Far East.