Corallorhiza maculata
 

Here is a photo of Spotted Coralroot from the Carson Pass area in the Sierra Mountains, California. From August 2008.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...a-maculata.jpg

nice! thanks for sharing!

---Prem

Cool orchid :cheer:

I wasn't even thinking about orchids at the time I took this (and it shows), just wildflowers in general. I do a little hiking around the northern Sierra mountains in California, as well as some parts of the desert in Nevada. Wild Orchid photography, now I have another reason to wander!

It's very pretty! Wild orchids are a wonderful excuse to go hiking. I saw a few species this year, so I'm happy! Coralroot orchids in France are green, and very hard to find even if you are looking for them. How tall were these plants?

They are about about knee-high in this photo. They are hard to find because they grow in drier areas of the forest floor, not in meadows. Since they are saprophytic, they only need a juicy root to flower. The plant is stems and flowers. No need for leaves or photosynthesis.

There are other plants here with a similar strategy. One is called called "Snow plant". Sarcodes sanguinea.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...snow-plant.jpg

The other is Called "Pine Drops". Pterospora andromedea
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-pinedrops.jpg

The Sarcodes is WOW! Nice color on it. It must be so easy to spot in the forest. We have a saprophytic orchid here, called Neottia nidus-avis, or the Bird's Nest Orchid. It's all brown, but quite nice looking. I was surprised to find some growing in the middle of the city in an unkempt corner of a park. It gets it's name from the shape of its roots, which look like a birds nest.

The first time I saw a snow plant was while driving through the woods. I had to stop the car for a closer look at it. I have never seen any plant that was so red in color. They grow early in the season, often through leftover snow. I've read that they can grow through asphalt pavement.

The bird's nest orchid is a nice looking flower. It seems to grow in the forest floor litter, just like the Coralroot. It is great to find flowers where they aren't expected. It is amazing to find out how they live.