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- - Corallorhiza maculata (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/orchids-in-the-wild/103712-corallorhiza-maculata.html)

Corallorhiza maculata

I went hiking yesterday in search of C. maculata (Spotted Coralroot). C. maculata lacks leaves (or any chlorophyll) and is a mycoheterotroph, which means it relies on fungi to obtain nutrients.

I set out at around 11 at a local hiking spot, but I couldn't find any native orchids (lots of invasive Epipactis helleborine, though).

After an hour, I gave up and decided to try a different spot. Still didn't find anything, but on the way back, I noticed a broken maroon stem with what looked like a desiccated inflorescence next to it just on the edge of the trail. Decided to go a bit off trail, and just a few yards away, I finally spotted a lone specimen. Further uphill, I found a plant with no spots on its lip, along with a couple of plants that were done flowering, which was pretty interesting, too.

normal spotted form:
https://static.inaturalist.org/photo...peg?1591498607
https://static.inaturalist.org/photo...peg?1591498660

immaculate form:
https://static.inaturalist.org/photo...peg?1591498851

seed pods:
https://static.inaturalist.org/photo...peg?1591498999

blasted buds (probably due to a recent heatwave):
https://static.inaturalist.org/photo...peg?1591499164

All of the plants were found growing in soil that had a pretty thick upper horizon consisting of decaying organic material (my shoes sank a couple inches into the soil on every step). I'm not sure why I didn't find any in the other location – maybe I didn't look hard enough, or maybe it was the wrong type of forest.

I hope I don't sound too childish – it was just a really exciting find. :D

PS: it's a bit hard to tell how large the plants are from the photos, but the inflorescences are about 8-10 inches tall.

Thank you. I would have been extremely excited, too. It's good to see the developing seed pods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neophyte (Post 923794)

All of the plants were found growing in soil that had a pretty thick upper horizon consisting of decaying organic material (my shoes sank a couple inches into the soil on every step). I'm not sure why I didn't find any in the other location – maybe I didn't look hard enough, or maybe it was the wrong type of forest.

Great photos neo, and a great hiking trip. It certainly is exciting to find the orchids like that.

Just be careful in those areas! Sinking a couple of inches is ok. But watch out for 'quicksand' - if there is any there!

Wow. They are so cool but the dark one looks like it is glowing from heat. Like a bed of coals!! Intense!

Wow, nice find. Don't feel silly. I know I would have been super excited to find it!

Wow, huge variability.

for sure! funnily enough, i encountered these plants all in one spot after an hour and a half of not finding anything and turning back... just like the first time. :D

You are intrepid! Thank you so much!