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Scientific Name Listera cordata (L.) R. Br. Common Name heart-leaved twayblade (Moss, 1983); mannikin twayblade (Johnson et al., 1995). General Description A perennial herb from creeping rhizomes that is slightly hairy, grows 6-20 cm tall and has purplish to yellowish-green flowers (Moss, 1983). Leaves Usually below middle of stem; egg to kidney-shaped; heart-shaped at base; 1-4 cm long (Moss, 1983). Opposite (Johnson et al., 1995). Flowers Purplish to yellowish-green; sepals and petals egg-shaped; 2-3 mm long; lip 2-4 times longer than wide, 4-5 mm long; cleft below middle into lobes; 2 teeth near base (Moss, 1983). 5-16 in cluster (Johnson et al., 1995). Fruits and Seeds Capsule; egg-shaped; 4-6 mm long; many seeds (Johnson et al., 1995). Phenology June to August (JSTOR). Notes

2n=36, 28, 40, 42 (Moss, 1983). Also called Ophyrus cordata(Moss, 1983). This is the most common species in Listera but is still quite rare (Johnson et al., 1995). Its pollination strategy interested Charles Darwin;…

2n=36, 28, 40, 42 (Moss, 1983). Also called Ophyrus cordata(Moss, 1983). This is the most common species in Listera but is still quite rare (Johnson et al., 1995). Its pollination strategy interested Charles Darwin; pollen is explosively expelled in a drop of fluid that glues pollinia to insects (Johnson et al., 1995(.

Read More + Range/Distribution Alberta: SW in mountain range to central (Canadensys). CAN (BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, SK, NT, ON, PE, QC, YT); USA (AK, WA, OR, CA, MT, ID, NV, WY, UT, CO, NM, MN, WI, MI, VA, OH, NY, ME, WV, PA, NJ, CT, RI, VT, NH, MA) (USDA).