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Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
Family: Orchidaceae - Orchid Family [E-flora]
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"Goodyera oblongifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 7. It is in flower in August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)
USDA hardiness zone : 6-9
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Perennial herb from slender rhizomes and thickened roots; stems 20-40 cm tall, with bracts, lacking leaves, glandular-hairy." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Dry to moist, mossy forests in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; common throughout BC, south of 56 degrees N; N to AK, E to PQ, NB and NS and S to ME, MI, WI, NE, NM, AZ and CA. N. America - Quebec to British Columbia, New Hampshire, Michigan, Arizona and California." [IFBC-E-flora]Status: Native [E-flora]
Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[200]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move. Division is best carried out in the spring[230]. Each division should have a leading point and two, or preferably three, joints of the rhizome[230]. More propagating material can be obtained by cutting halfway through the rhizome during the previous growing season at the point where you wish to divide[230]. This will stimulate the production of growth buds at the point of division[230]." [PFAF]
Requires a somewhat shady site and a well-drained compost of peat, leafmold and sand[1]. Does well in the woodland garden[42, 230]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it is suitable for cultivation in a cool greenhouse or, perhaps, for a select position outdoors[1]. It is closely related to the British native species G. repens[230]. Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[230]." [PFAF]
"About 100 species of Goodyera have been formally described." [Wiki]
Local Species;
"Goodyera repens is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Humble bees.The plant is not self-fertile. USDA hardiness zone : 5-9 Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Perennial herb from slender rhizomes; stems 10-25 cm tall, with bracts, lacking leaves, glandular-hairy." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
"Dry to moist, mossy forests in the steppe and montane zones; frequent throughout C and E BC; circumpolar, N to AK and YT, E to NF and S to ME, MA, PA, SC, IN, WI, MN, SD, NM and AZ; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Locally in pine woods, rarely under birch or on moist fixed dunes in northern Britain[17]. Europe, including Britain, Scandanavia south and east to the Pyrenees, Siberia, Japan and Himalayas." [PFAF]
"Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[200]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move." [PFAF]
"Requires a somewhat shady site and a well-drained compost of peat, leafmold and sand[1]. Does well in the woodland garden[42, 230]. Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[230]." [PFAF]