Corallorhiza striata is a species of orchid known by the common names striped coralroot and hooded coralroot. This flowering plant is widespread across much of southern Canada, the northern and western United States, and Mexico. It lives in dry, decaying plant matter on the ground in pine and mixed coniferous forests, and it obtains its nutrients from fungi via mycoheterotrophy.
Description Like other coralroot orchids, the plant takes its name from its coral-shaped rhizomes. It has an erect stem about tall that may be red, pink, purple, or yellow-green to almost white. The leaves lack chlorophyll and are reduced to colourless scales that sheath the stem. The plant also lacks roots, and relies upon parasitism of fungi for sustenance.
The stem is topped by a raceme of 15 to 25 orchid flowers. Each flower is an open array of sepals and similar-looking petals that may be pink or yellowish and have darker pink or maroon stripes. Inside the flower is a column formed from the fusion of male and female parts, which may be spotted with purple or red. The fruit is a capsule one or two centimeters long.
Taxonomy Corallorhiza striata was scientifically named and described in 18440 by John Lindley. It is classified as part of the genus Corallorhiza within the Orchidaceae family. It has three accepted varieties according to Plants of the World Online:
Corallorhiza striata var. involuta Corallorhiza striata var. striata Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii
Corallorhiza striata has synonyms of the species or one of its three varieties including nine species names.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Synonym of: Notes Corallorhiza bigelovii 1877 species var. vreelandii = het. Corallorhiza ehrenbergii 1850 species var. vreelandii = het. Corallorhiza involuta 1898 species var. involuta ≡ hom. Corallorhiza macraei 1856 species var. striata = het. Corallorhiza ochroleuca 1904 species var. vreelandii = het. Corallorhiza striata f. eburnea 1994 form var. striata = het. Corallorhiza striata var. flavida 1971 variety var. striata = het. Corallorhiza striata f. flavida 1995 form var. striata = het. Corallorhiza striata f. fulva 1946 form var. vreelandii = het. Corallorhiza vreelandii 1901 species var. vreelandii ≡ hom. Neottia bigelowii 1891 species var. vreelandii = het. Neottia ehrenbergii 1891 species var. vreelandii = het. Neottia striata 1891 species C. maculata ≡ hom. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
Gallery
See also Corallorhiza maculata
References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment