Corallorhiza maculata

Corallorhiza maculata, or spotted coralroot, is a North American coralroot orchid. It has three varieties: C. maculata var. occidentalis (western spotted coralroot), C. maculata var. maculata (eastern spotted coralroot or summer coralroot), and C. maculata var. mexicana. It is widespread through Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and much of the western and northern United States (though generally absent from the Great Plains and from the lowland parts of the Southeast). It grows mostly in montane woodlands.

Description

Corallorhiza maculata is a myco-heterotroph; it lacks chlorophyll and obtains energy by parasitizing the mycelium of fungi in the family Russulaceae. The rhizome and lower stem are often knotted into branched coral shapes. The stem is usually red or brown in color, but occasionally comes in a light yellow or cream color. There are no leaves and no photosynthetic green tissues. The stems bear dark red scales and intricate orchid flowers.

Corallorhiza maculata flowers are small and emerge regularly from all sides of the stem. The sepals are dark red or brown tinged with purple, long and pointed. The side petals are reddish, and the lip petal is bright clean white with deep red spots. It is usually scalloped along its edges and . In some varieties, the lip may be plain white without spots.

Taxonomy Corallorhiza maculata was scientifically described and named by Constantine Rafinesque in 1817. It is classified in the genus Corallorhiza within the family Orchidaceae. It has three varieties according to Plants of the World Online:

Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata Corallorhiza maculata var. mexicana Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis

Corallorhiza maculata has synonyms of the species or one of its three varieties.

Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Synonym of: Notes Cladorhiza maculata 1828 species C. maculata ≡ hom. Corallorhiza grabhamii 1903 species var. occidentalis = het. Corallorhiza leimbachiana 1906 species var. occidentalis = het. Corallorhiza maculata f. aurea 1995 form var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata var. flavida 1916 variety var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata f. flavida 1927 form var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata var. fusca 1922 variety var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata var. immaculata 1950 variety var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata f. immaculata 1970 form var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata var. intermedia 1917 variety var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata f. intermedia 1927 form var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata subsp. occidentalis 1916 subspecies var. occidentalis ≡ hom. Corallorhiza maculata var. ozettensis 2001 variety var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata var. punicea 1922 variety var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata f. punicea 1945 form var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza maculata f. rubra 1995 form var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza mexicana 1840 species var. mexicana ≡ hom. Corallorhiza multiflora 1823 species var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza multiflora var. flavida 1897 variety var. maculata = het. Corallorhiza multiflora var. occidentalis 1840 variety var. occidentalis ≡ hom. Corallorhiza multiflora var. sulphurea 1906 variety var. maculata = het. Neottia mexicana 1891 species var. mexicana ≡ hom. Neottia multiflora 1891 species var. maculata = het. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym

Uses Several Native American groups historically used the orchid's stems dried and brewed as a tea for such maladies as colds, pneumonia, and skin irritation.

Corallorhiza maculata is also the topic of the poem On Going Unnoticed by Robert Frost.

Gallery

Corallorhiza maculata

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