Corallorhiza wisteriana (Spring Coral Root)

Order Asparagales, Family Orchidaceae, Genus Corallorhiza

These bloom earlier than their cousin, Corallorhiza maculata, or Spotted Coralroot. The Coralroots are "mycotrophs", and are parasitic on fungi which absorb nutrients from decaying plant matter. C. wisteriana differs from C.maculata in that it blooms earler, and its flowers have no lobes on the lower lip.

 

C. wisteriana is not as red as C. maculata, but rather almost a bronze brown.

 

The flowers of this orchid have no lobes.