Putty root is a native found throughout the wooded slopes and ravines in the eastern U.S.A. and Canada in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is the only member of the genus Aplectrum. It spreads underground through the growth of its corms, which are often linked by rhizomes and can release a sticky substance when crushed. This sticky substance was once used to mend broken pottery hence the common name "putty root". The other common name "Adam and Eve" is also in reference to the corms as they are often found in linked pairs. This plant likes partial shade or dappled sunlight in the sugar maple and beech forests and swamps where it grows. Its underground corms allow it to form large colonies in though it is more commonly found in small scattered patches. A single leaf appears in late November and persists until March, taking advantage of the sunlight available in the winter months under the leafless canopy of deciduous trees. The leaves are uniquely pleated and pin-striped, with parallel alternating silvery-white and green stripes. In late May or early June, the flower stalk emerges carrying several delicate flowers with no fragrance or nectar to attract pollinators, though sweat bees are thought to be pollinators. Use this plant in the woodland or shade garden in groups, in small spaces, on slopes and along bogs, ponds and streams. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
This plant has single, oval to elliptic, basal leaf with white veins that appear in fall and disappear after flowering. They are 4 to 6 in. long and 1 to 3 in. wide with entire margins, acuminate to acute tip, and they appear wrinkled. The leaves appear in late November and persist until March. They are uniquely pin-striped, with parallel alternating silvery-white and green stripes.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Lipped; Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
In late May or early June, the 1 to 2 foot erect flower stalk emerges with a loose raceme of 8 to 20 pale greenish-purple (sometimes yellow or white with purple tinge) 1 inch flowers. The sepals form a triangular pattern, and the petals form a wrinkled two lipped tubular flower. Flowers appear on 1- to 2-foot slender, leafless stalk. The lower lip is white with purple spots (a small lobe on each side and wavy in front).
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
1 inch tan ridged capsule with a pointed tip. The capsules bend downward on the flower stalk.
Stem detail
Stem is absent, flower stalks resemble stems and are quite tall and green.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
E. Canada to E. Central & E. U.S.A
Distribution
Found from Oklahoma to the Carolinas
Wildlife value
Sweatbees are though to pollinate these flowers.
Attracts
Specialized Bees
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
non-edible
Uses (ethnobotany)
The sticky gelatinous substance extruded from the corms was used to mend broken pottery.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Naturalized Area; Riparian; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Woodland