Spotted Coralroot

Decided to show you something different. I could have picked much flashier florals, but this is something I don't come across in my everyday, suburban life. Hubby and I went to see my family in Corvallis. They live on about 3 acres and most of it is wooded. This wild flower is growing on their property and I've never seen it before. My step-mom was thrilled to have this in the woods. It is a plant that grows in the deep shade. It is related to the orchid as you can see from the flowers. Cool, huh?


Spotted Coralroot

Corallorrhiza maculata - Locally common, early summer, perennial, 7-22 in. Stem erect, red to yellow-brown. Leaves bract-like wrapped on stem. Flowers on upper stem. Five upper flower petals similar color to stem ; lower petals much larger, white, with 4-8 large red to purple spots. Inside flower is a curved column with pollen and nectar beneath. Lacking spur under base of lower petal. Grows in deep forest duff below timberline. Weight of an insect on lower petal exposes pollen and sticky stigma surface to receive pollen from other flowers