PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

White Adder's-mouth (Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda)

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Photo by Stephen L. Solheim

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

White Adder's-mouth (Malaxis monophyllos var. brachypoda), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in neutral or calcareous conifer or black ash swamps. Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting early-July through late-August. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through August.

Malaxis brachypoda, Malaxis monophyllos ssp. brachypoda, Microstylis brachypoda

 
 
 

White adder's-mouth is an erect forb, 10-25cm tall, that is often found in heavily shaded areas. It has a terminal raceme of ~200 small flowers with very slender inflorescence, tapering to the tip. Flowers are upside-down due to twisting of the pedicel, the lip lowermost. Lateral petals are oblanceolate, 1mm, spreading horizontally, lip is greenish-white, deflexed, 2-3mm, broadly cordate, tapering to a long point and with a slightly irregularly toothed margin, and no lobes. Its fruit is a capsule. It has a solitary, clasping, oval to elliptic, 3-6cm long and usually at least half as wide leaf.

Its narrowly pointed lip without lobes distinguishes it from other orchids.

Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting early-July through late-August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is early-July through August.

Associated species include Thuja occidentalis, Abies balsamea, Fraxinus nigra, Alnus rugosa, Cypripedium reginae, C parviflorum, Rhamnus alnifolius, Coptis trifolia, Mitella nuda, and Betula alleghaniensis.

White adder's-mouth is found in neutral or calcareous conifer or black ash swamps.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid site preparation that heavily disturbs herbaceous ground layer and soil, including bulldozing and furrowing, as well as grubbing and stump removal.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.