NEcology #65 - The Strangest Little Orchid There Ever Was

Typically, when we think of Orchids, even our temperate New England species, we imagine bright, vibrant blooms that draw the attention of human and pollinator alike. Blooming on warm, late spring and summer days, these frequently eye-catching species have enamored onlookers for millennia. But not all Orchids produce showy flowers and some, like Corallorhiza odontorhiza, the "Fall Coral Root" are barely noticeable when they finally emerge for their - frankly easy to miss - autumn bloom. "Bloom" being a generous term, as these Orchids are known to rarely ever even open fully! Often opting to self-pollenate, these bizarre little plants have another trick up their sleeve: they're fungal parasites who produce hardly any chlorophyll!
Join be on an expose of the tiny, bizarre, easy to miss and difficult to understand "Fall Coral Root!"
Plants of interest:
Corallorhiza odontorhiza - "Fall Coral Root"
Epifagus virginiana - "Beechdrops"
Eurybia divaricata - "White Wood Aster"
Solidago bicolor - "Silverrod"

[@actsnfacts]

Nice orchids, I hadn't heard of these before. Orchids and fungi, always an interesting relationship. Of love and hatred at the same time! Fungi can be the life taker or life bearer to this family of plants! Thank you for the video!

[@newbotany]

Great finds: I think that the smallest flowers are always the most interesting! 👍

[@acm01864]

I wonder if the climate changes will they change their growth habits? 😊