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Corallorhiza striata
Corallorhiza striata Lindl.
Hooded Coralroot, Striped Coralroot, Bigelow's Coral Root, Macrae's Coral Root, Madder Stripes
Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
Synonym(s): Corallorrhiza striata
USDA Symbol: cost19
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
The orchids of genus Corallorhiza have no chlorophyll and are mycoheterotrophic; that is, they utilize fungi to parasitize the roots of other plants. A nearly leafless plant with several or many erect, reddish-purple stems bearing several or many reddish-striped, pale pinkish, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in a raceme.
Corallorhiza means "coral root," though the "root" is actually a hard mass of rhizomes. After producing flower stalks, the rhizomes may remain dormant for several years. The most attractive of several coral roots, this orchid can withstand cold but not heat and thus cannot be successfully cultivated south of its natural range.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Red , Yellow , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , NY , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WI , WYCanada: NB , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Throughout West south to Mexico; in East, much of Canada south to New York and west to Dakotas and Nebraska; also in Texas.
Native Habitat: Deep, rich woods.
Growing Conditions
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Organic, Humus Enriched
Conditions Comments: It can withstand cold but not heat and cannot be successfully cultivated south of its natural range. (Niering)
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesMr. Smarty Plants says
Weird-looking rootless plant, perhaps a fungus
August 23, 2008
While out it my backyard (i.e. the Black Hills of South Dakota), I spotted a weird-looking rootless plant (I think it may be a fungus) growing beneath the Ponderosa Pines. It was the only one in the a...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | UPL | FACU | FACU | FACU |
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 striata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Corallorhiza striata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Corallorhiza striata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-24Research By: TWC Staff