rattlesnake plantain

American  

noun

1. any of several low, terrestrial orchids, as Goodyera repens, of northern temperate regions, having a basal rosette of leaves with white veins and a one-sided spike of white flowers.

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rattlesnake plantain British  

noun

1. any of various small temperate and tropical orchids of the genus Goodyera , having mottled or striped leaves and spikes of yellowish-white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of rattlesnake plantain

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

Example Sentences

Unlike most of its orchid relatives, rattlesnake plantain is almost always appreciated for its exquisitely patterned leaves as opposed to its flowers.

From New York Times

Some, like “liverwort,” “bloodroot,” “rattlesnake plantain” or even “nipplewort,” leave little to the imagination.

From New York Times

The rattlesnake plantain is frequently met under the coniferous trees of our northern woods.

From Project Gutenberg

Also the Indian pink, the rattlesnake plantain, the pink snake-mouth, monkshood, bloodroot, pitcher plant, and numerous others that formed a wonderful exhibit which it would take a long time to do justice to.

From Project Gutenberg

To the structural botanist the rattlesnake plantains form an interesting connecting link between orchids of d1stinct forms.

From Project Gutenberg