Coralroot (2)
Coralroots are so named because their underground roots are shaped like a piece of ocean coral. The whole plant has no chlorophyll and is a parasite to a fungus. These coralroots are differentiated by the time of blooming and the appearance of the petals. Their slender shape and coloration helps them to blend into the background of leaf litter on the forest floors where they grow.
Spotted Coralroot
Corallorhiza maculata
Family:
Orchid (Orchidacea)
AKA:
Summer Coralroot
Photo taken on:
July 8, 2007
Location:
Upper Loop, Crested Butte, CO
Life Zones:
Foothills to subalpine
Habitat:
Moist woods
Grows from 8" to 20" in colonies with a brownish-purplish
fleshy stem. Flowers have 3 spreading reddish petals and a large
whitish petal with purple spots.
At left are Spotted Coralroot Seedpods.
Photo taken on:
August 19, 2007
Location:
Upper Loop, Crested Butte, CO
Flora of North America reference.
Spring Coralroot
Corallorhiza wisteriana
Family:
Orchid (Orchidacea)
AKA:
Wister's Coralroot
Photo taken on:
May 27, 2008
Location:
Wet Mountains, Eastern CO
Life Zones:
Foothills to montane
Habitat:
Moist, rocky woods
Grows to 16" high with a reddish-brown or yellowish, leafless stem. Flowers are purplish-brown or yellow. The lower petal is larger and white with faint purplish spots. The remaining petals and sepals join together to make a hood over the white lip.
Flora of North America reference.