Native Plants

Plant Database

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Cressler, Alan

Hexalectris spicata

Hexalectris spicata (Walter) Barnhart

Spiked Crested Coralroot, Spiked Crested Coral Root

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: HESP3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The orchids of genus Hexalectris are achlorophyllous and are mycoheterotrophic; that is, they utilize Sebacinoid ectomycorrhizal fungi to obtain nutrients from the roots of autotrophic plants.

From the Image Gallery

78 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall, often shorter.
Leaf: This plant has no leaves.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Purple

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NM , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Endangered/threatened status for Hexalectris spicata in Texas
November 17, 2007
I was wondering about the status of Crested Coralroot Orchid (Hexalectris spicata) in Texas. Over the years I have located several clumps of them growing on a ranch in southern Bell county. The mos...
view the full question and answer

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU		UPL		UPL	UPL		UPL		UPL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

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 Hexalectris spicata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hexalectris spicata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hexalectris spicata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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