Broad-lipped twayblade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Broad-lipped twayblade |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Neottia
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| Species: |
convallarioides
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The broad-lipped twayblade (scientific name: Neottia convallarioides) is a type of orchid. It's also known as the broad-leaved twayblade. For a long time, scientists called this plant Listera convallarioides. But after studying its DNA, they found it was more closely related to the Neottia nidus-avis (the bird's-nest orchid). So, all plants from the Listera group were moved into the Neottia family.
Where Does It Grow?
This special orchid grows in many parts of Canada. You can also find it in certain areas of the United States. These include Alaska, the Great Lakes Region, and New England. It also lives in the western mountains, like the Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra Nevada.
The broad-lipped twayblade has also been seen in St. Pierre & Miquelon. It grows on the Komandor Islands in the Bering Sea, which are part of the Russian Far East.
What Does It Look Like?
The broad-lipped twayblade is a plant that loves cool, wet, and shady places. You can often find it in woods and forests. It also grows near swamps and along streambanks.
Plant Structure
This plant is a rhizomatous perennial herb. This means it grows from underground stems called rhizomes. It comes back year after year. It stands upright, usually 10 to 35 centimeters (about 4 to 14 inches) tall.
Near the bottom of its stem, it has one pair of green, oval-shaped leaves. Each leaf can be up to 7 centimeters (about 3 inches) long.
Flowers and Colonies
The plant's flowers grow in a small cluster called a raceme. These flowers are green or yellow-green. Sometimes they have a slight purple tint.
Each flower usually has three sepals, which are like small, leaf-like parts that protect the bud. These sepals bend backward. There are also two similar petals. One special petal is called the lip. It is longer and shaped like a wedge. The tip of the lip has a small notch.
Sometimes, many of these plants grow together. They can form large groups that cover the ground like a carpet. This plant can also hybridize (mix its genes) with another orchid called Neottia auriculata.
