Malaxis unifolia
Green Addersmouth Orchid
Green Adder's-mouth
Florida native
Endangered Florida species
A rare orchid of moist hammocks and ravines of the western and central panhandle plus Alachua, Mariona and Hernando Counties. THe range extends through most of the eastern United States and Canada.
A small terrestrial plant from 8-25cm (3-10 in.) tall. Normally having only a single leaf clasping the middle of the stem. The leaf is up to 9cm (3-1/2 in.) long and 6cm (2-1/3 in.) wide. Apparently there is a form of this species (forma biflora) that has two leaves, as well as a forma variegata with white or cream-colored markings on the leaf. The inflorescence is a terminal raceme of from five to 80 tiny flowers 2-4mm (~1/8 in.) wide.
Green addersmouth at US Wildflowers
Malaxis unifolia is a member of the Orchidaceae - Orchid family.
Other species of the Malaxis genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Malaxis spicata - FLORIDA ADDERSMOUTH ORCHID
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: May 30, 2021