Large Whorled Pogonia

Isotria verticillata

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in acidic, moist to dry forests, less typically seeps and bogs. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

Modest

Native to Louisiana. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height: ranges from about 2 to 16 inches in height
Light: Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture: Dry to wet

Will it fit your yard?

Isotria verticillata — bloom photograph — Barnes Dr Thomas G, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domain · Original photograph

Rare or protected plant. Specialist conservation planting; excluded from routine garden suggestions. Plant caution source

Hidden from default planting suggestions. Wildlife value and native status remain unchanged.

At a glance

Life cycle: Perennial
Bloom: March to July
Fruiting season: April to October

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Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 12 Louisiana parishes.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

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Moist forests

Forests on moist but not wet ground, such as rich slopes and ravines.

Dry forests and woodlands

Forests and open woodlands on dry ridges and slopes, often oak or pine.

Seeps and springs

Places where groundwater keeps the soil or rock wet, such as seepage slopes and spring runs.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including LA

0BeesSoutheastern regional records

0Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Orchidaceae
Hardiness: Zones 3b–10b
Soil pH: Acidic
Flower color: Yellow or green
Fruit begins: April
Fruit ends: October

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “March to July” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Yellow or green” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox (ranked first; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center differs)
Fruit begins · “April” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Fruit ends · “October” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Hardiness · “Zones 3b–10b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “ranges from about 2 to 16 inches (4-40 cm) in height” · Fire Effects Information System: Isotria verticillata (ranked first; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center differs) · Source botanical description; original units and scope retained
Life cycle · “Perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox (ranked first; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center differs)
Soil · “Dry; Moist; Wet (documented habitat)” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Soil pH · “Acidic” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Conservation status

Louisiana rank	S2
Global rank	G5
LA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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Large Whorled Pogonia

At a glance

Natural habitats

Who uses this plant?

Plant details

Conservation status

Will it fit your yard?

Sources

More Isotria