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Gaudet, Jesse

Conopholis alpina var. mexicana

Conopholis alpina Liebm. var. mexicana (A. Gray ex S. Watson) Haynes

Mexican Cancer-root, Groundcone, Alpine Squawroot

Orobanchaceae (Broom-Rape Family)

Synonym(s): Conopholis mexicana, Orobanche multiflora var. xanthochroa, Orobanche xanthochroa

USDA Symbol: COALM

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This plant is parasitic on the roots of oak trees and has no chlorophyll.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Inflorescence: Spike , Terminal
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Flower: Stamens 4

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun
Bloom Notes: The entire plant is yellow-cream colored, looks cone-like.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , NM , TX
Native Distribution: Oaxaca, MX to Trans-Pecos Texas, NM, AZ and S. CO.
Native Habitat: Under oaks in mountain forests.

Bibliography

Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Conopholis alpina var. mexicana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Conopholis alpina var. mexicana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Conopholis alpina var. mexicana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-01
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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