Small Whorled Pogonia

Isotria medeoloides

Found in acidic moist to moderately dry forests, in the mountains and upper Piedmont usually with Pinus strobus. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

8

Modest

Native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 65%

Height: The stem of small whorled pogonia is short, with a maximum height of about 10 inches.
Light: Partial shade, Full shade
Soil moisture: Dry to moist

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Isotria medeoloides — bloom photograph — Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. 1995. Northeast wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. Northeast National Technical Center, Chester. · Public domain · Original photograph

Federally threatened. Excluded from routine garden suggestions. Consult conservation guidance before obtaining or planting this species. Plant caution source

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

At a glance

Life cycle: Perennial
Bloom: May to June

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Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

County records are not available.

Natural habitats

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

1 of 2

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

Moderately dry forests

Forests between dry and moist, often oak-hickory on slopes.

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in West Virginia. Shared habitat, not food. 135 animals.

Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax alnorum
Birds. 3 shared habitats
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Birds. 3 shared habitats
American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
Birds. 3 shared habitats
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
Birds. 3 shared habitats
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
Birds. 3 shared habitats
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Birds. 3 shared habitats
American Woodcock
Scolopax minor
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Black-and-White Warbler
Mniotilta varia
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Black-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Polioptila caerulea
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Brown Creeper
Certhia americana
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Carolina Chickadee
Poecile carolinensis
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Birds. 3 shared habitats
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
Birds. 3 shared habitats

All wildlife of West Virginia

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

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
Flower color: White, yellow, green or brown

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “May to June” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “White, yellow, green or brown” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Height · “The stem of small whorled pogonia is short, with a maximum height of about 10 inches (25 cm).” · Fire Effects Information System: Isotria medeoloides (ranked first; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center differs) · Source botanical description; original units and scope retained
Life cycle · “Perennial” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Light · “Partial shade; Full shade (documented habitat)” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Soil · “Dry; Moist (documented habitat)” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia

Conservation status

West Virginia rank	S1
Global rank	G2G3
WV status	Not verified
Federal status	Threatened (US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Conservation source Global rank source Federal status source: US Fish and Wildlife Service

In your garden

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