Corallorhiza trifida (Early Coralroot)

Plant Info

Also known as:	Spring Coralroot, Yellow Coralroot, Northern Coralroot
Genus:	Corallorhiza
Family:	Orchidaceae (Orchid)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part sun to shade; swamps, bogs, thickets, upland forests
Bloom season:	spring
Plant height:	5 to 14 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Erect raceme of 4 to 19 flowers each about 3/8 inch across, with a short ovary and flower stalk. 3 petals and 2 lateral sepals are similarly colored - pale green/yellows, sometimes purple brown at outer tips, elongated, narrowing to a more rounded point. The sepals are slightly longer and narrower than the petals; petals are held close above nearly overlapping over flower column.

The lower lip is all white or sometimes sparingly speckled into throat, broader and wavy, curling underand back in at tip. 

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are reduced to overlapping sheathes from the base. Smooth throughout, stem color is variations of green/yellow, with similar colored leaves. Stems are unbranched, single to multiple clusters.

Notes:

The coral-roots provide the longest and most contiguous discovery season for wildflower seekers with spring coral-root as early as autumn coral-root is late. While still small, the lightly colored C. trifida stands out starkly against the rich muted earth tones of decaying vegetation from the previous season and larger clumps can be spotted at great distance. Expect it to appear anywhere throughout its fairly extensive range.

More photos

• Early Coralroot plants

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken at numerous locations on state lands in Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami and Cass Counties

Comments

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