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Corallorhiza mertensiana
Corallorhiza mertensiana Bong.
Pacific Coralroot
Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
Synonym(s): Corallorhiza maculata ssp. mertensiana, Corallorrhiza maculata ssp. mertensiana, Corallorrhiza mertensiana
USDA Symbol: COME17
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Most orchids (this one included) of genus Corallorhiza are achlorophyllous and are mycoheterotrophic; that is, they utilize fungi to parasitize the roots of other plants. Corallorhiza mertensiana utilizes three species of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the genus, Russula for this purpose.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , OR , WA , WYCanada: BC
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 Corallorhiza mertensiana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Corallorhiza mertensiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Corallorhiza mertensiana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-24Research By: TWC Staff