It is native to much of North America, particularly in the mountains of the western United States and Canada, from Alaska to northern Mexico, as well as in the Great Lakes region, Maine, Quebec and the Canadian Maritime Provinces.

[1][2][3] Goodyera oblongifolia is most commonly found in mountain forests, often in the understory of conifers.

This orchid forms a patch of broad lance-shaped to oval-shaped leaves at the ground, each 4 to 9 centimeters long.

The top of the inflorescence has many white orchid flowers which may all face the same direction on the stalk, or be spirally arranged about it.

[4][5][6] The common name stems from the leaves, which have marks resembling snakeskin; the plant is also said to have been used to treat snakebites.