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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Conopholis americana (L.) Wallr. f.
American cancer-root, Squawroot
Orobanchaceae (Broom-Rape Family)
USDA Symbol: COAM
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A parasitic plant with yellowish to cream-colored flowers emerging among lanceolate or ovate, pointed, yellow-tan scales on upper part of a fleshy stalk.
This plant resembles a pinecone as it becomes dry and brown with age. A parasite, it gets its nourishment from the roots of oaks, its host trees. A closely related species, Alpine Squawroot (C. alpina), occurs from the southwestern United States down to Oaxaca in southern Mexico.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NS
Native Distribution: Manitoba east to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Mississippi, and north to Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Native Habitat: Woods, under oaks.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Conopholis americana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Conopholis americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Conopholis americana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-08-25Research By: TWC Staff
