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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Ponthieva racemosa

Shadow Witch, Shadow-witch, Hairy Shadlow-witch

Scientific Name:

Ponthieva racemosa

Genus:

Ponthieva

Species Epithet:

racemosa

Common Name:

Shadow Witch, Shadow-witch, Hairy Shadlow-witch

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Green

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

September, October

Growing Area:

Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

“Bottomlands, floodplains, moist ravines, nearly always over calcareous rock (“marl” or coquina limestone)” (Weakley 2015). Uncommon in NC Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Basal

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S2: Imperiled (*Key)

Global Rank:

G4 - Apparently Secure, G5 - Secure (*Key)

State Status:

T: Threatened (*Key)

Notes:

NC Natural Heritage Program Global Rank: G4G5

Blooming Plant

image

© David R. McAdoo

Closeup of Blooms

image

© David R. McAdoo

Blooms

image

David McAdoo

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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