A transcontinental orchid of the Montane, Boreal, and Mixed Forest Regions, as well as the tundra. Often associated with 'cold bottom' conditions, and calcareous bedrock: found under evergreens of cool mossy bogs and moist woods; in the north, found on drier sites.

Height to 20 cm. Stem smooth, rarely has a bract.
Leaf usually single, basal, tapering to the base.
Raceme lax, flowers short-pedicelled.
Flowers up to 15, green to greenish white, fleshy lip, dilated at the base. Pollinated by mosquitoes and small moths.

Easily identified by the single, broadly blunted leaf, and by relatively small green and white flowers with short, tapering spurs. Seldom grows much taller than an unsharpened pencil; thus is obscured by higher growing vegetation, but more easily identified in shaded conifer woods where companion plants are low and trailing.

Orchids of Ontario
The Canadian Field-Naturalist
The Orchids of Bruce & Grey