Neottia banksiana
northwestern twayblade
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Mark Gardiner     (Photo ID #66585)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Neottia banksiana
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Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from slender rhizomes, with fibrous roots; stems 10-30 cm tall, slender, with 2 leaves, glandular-hairy above.
Leaves:
Two, near middle of stem, roughly opposite, broadly egg-shaped, 2.5-7 cm long, 1.8-4.5 cm wide, abruptly tapered to base.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a few- to many-flowered, terminal raceme, the flowers greenish to yellowish; sepals 3-4 mm long, narrowly lanceolate, 1-veined, distinct, spreading; petals similar to sepals, 2.8-3.5 mm long; lip 4.5-7 mm long, about 3.5 mm wide, wedge- to egg-shaped, rounded or with shallow notch at tip, with a pair of lateral threadlike teeth at base; column 1.5-2.5 mm long.
Fruits:
Capsules, spreading, egg-shaped, to 7 mm long.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Moist forests, bogs and meadows in the montane and subalpine zones; frequent on the coast, infrequent in NW BC and E of the Coast-Cascade Mountains south of 55 degrees N; N to AK, E to AB and S to WY, ID and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Listera caurina Piper