Part 46

Corallorhiza

R. Brown, 1813

CORAL-ROOT

The generic name, Corallorhiza, refers to the coral-like masses of the roots of this genus.

Scapose orchids, saprophytes or root-parasites, with large masses of coralloid branching roots. =Anther= 1. =Labellum= 1-3 ridged. =Sepals= and =petals= equal; 1-3 nerved, lateral sepals united at the base with the foot of the column, forming a short spur. =Flowers= several in a terminal raceme, purplish, yellowish and white. =Anther= terminal, operculate. =Pollinia= 4, in 2-pairs, free, soft and waxy. =Stem= or =scape= 4-20 inches high. =Leaves= all reduced to scales. =Seed-capsule= oblong, drooping when ripe.

Continental Range—In rich woodlands. From Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to the Pacific region. There are about 15 species of this strange genus in the north temperate zone of the world. These species are destitute of green or any distinct form of foliage; their roots are without form, assuming coral-like masses, which draw nourishment for the plants from humus—the rich decay of dead roots and trees in the soil. These plants are known as saprophytes or root parasites.

North American species north of Mexico 9 New England species 4 Hoosac Valley species 3

New England species:

1. C. Corallorhiza (Linnæus) Karst, 1753-1880-1883. 2. C. odontorhiza (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818. 3. C. Wisteriana Conrad, 1829. 4. C. multiflora Nuttall, 1823.

1.—CORALLORHIZA CORALLORHIZA (Linnæus) Karst, 1753-1880-1883

EARLY CORAL-ROOT

The specific name, Corallorhiza, refers to the coral-like roots of the species and genus.

Scapose rich woodland orchid, with coral-like roots. May 11th-June 28th-July 12th-August 5th (North) September-October (South). A vernal orchid, North, and an autumnal species in Georgia. The dates of flowering for the Corallorhizas are variable and not standard.

=Flowers=, 3-12 in a raceme 1-3 inches long, dull purple, about ½ inch long on short, minutely bracted pedicels. =Labellum= whitish, oblong, 2-toothed, shorter than petals, spur a small protuberance adnate to the summit of ovary. =Sepals= and =petals= narrow. =Stem= or =scape=, 4-12 inches high. =Leaves= reduced to 2-5 sheathing scales. =Seed-capsule= drooping.

Continental Range—from Greenland, and Kotzebue Sound, Unalaska, southward throughout Canada to Georgia; westward to Washington and Oregon. Ascends 7600 feet in Yellowstone Park, where it is rather common.

New England Range—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, infrequent.

2.—CORALLORHIZA ODONTORHIZA (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818

SMALL-FLOWERED CORAL-ROOT—DRAGON-CLAW—LATE CORAL-ROOT—CRAWLEY-ROOT

The specific name, odontorhiza, comes from the Greek, odons, a tooth, and rhiza, a root, referring to the tooth-like shape of the coralloid roots.

Small slender woodland orchid, with coral-like masses of roots. February-March-May (South); July-August-September 6th-October 15th (North).

=Flowers=, 6-20, purplish, in raceme 2-4 inches long. =Labellum= oval, denticulate, narrowed at base; not notched, whitish; =spur= small, adnate to top of ovary. =Sepals= and =petals= lanceolate, marked with purple lines. =Stem= sheathed with 3-4 scales, 6-15 inches high. Confused with C. Corallorhiza northward.

Continental Range—From Ontario, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, southward to Alabama, Florida, and Texas; westward to Illinois and Indiana. Ascends 3000 feet in North Carolina.

New England Range—Maine, rare; New Hampshire, rare; Vermont, rare; Massachusetts, Cole’s Grove, Williamstown (Cheney), rare; Rhode Island, rare; Connecticut, frequent.

3.—CORALLORHIZA WISTERIANA Conrad, 1829

WISTER’S CORAL-ROOT

The specific name, Wisteriana, refers to the dedication of this species in honor of the botanist Wister.

Slender woodland orchid, with coral-branching roots. March 1st, Florida (Curtiss); Alabama, February-May.

=Flowers= whitish, 6-15, in spiked raceme 2-5 inches long; pedicels, erect and slender. =Labellum= broad and oval, white, clawed, with spots of crimson; notched at apex, differing in this from C. odontorhiza, which is not notched at the apex, but projects acutely; =spur= a conspicuous protuberance adnate to top of the ovary. =Stem= 8-16 inches high. =Leaves= reduced to several sheathing scales. =Seed-capsule= oblong drooping, when ripe.