Corallorhiza odontorhiza (Autumn Coralroot)

Plant Info

Also known as:	Late Coralroot
Genus:	Corallorhiza
Family:	Orchidaceae (Orchid)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part sun to shade; woods
Bloom season:	late summer, fall
Plant height:	5 to 8 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Erect raceme of 7 to 16 tiny, non-descript nodding flowers about 1/8 inch long, on a short flower stalk. The ovary is predominant, greenish to yellow, about ¼ inch long. Petals and sepals are whitish at the base with brown purpling at tips, though white lower lip may fold slightly outward. The flowers of Minnesota's variety do not open and self pollinate within flower (cleistogamous) though the eastern variety does open and pollinates sexually (chasmogamous).

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are reduced to overlapping sheathes from the base. Smooth throughout, stem color is the same as ovaries, greenish to yellow. Stems are unbranched, single to multiple clusters.

Fruit:

The ovaries develop into hanging capsules, ¼ to 1/3 inch long

Notes:

Perhaps a child only a mother autumn coral-root could appreciate, or those enthralled by the secrets of our native orchids. While early records are infrequent, this species could be just expanding its range westward into Minnesota, or its diminuative stature and late blooming date may have it too commonly passed over. The population in these photos has established itself within just the last 15 years.

More photos

• Autumn Coralroot plants
• a rare opened flower
• more plants

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken on a private residence in Washington County that was formly a production nursery field

Comments

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