Allotropa virgata Torr. & A. Gray ex A. Gray
candystick (sugarstick)
Ericaceae (Crowberry family)
(Previously in Monotropaceae)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
candystick (sugarstick)
Ericaceae (Crowberry family)
(Previously in Monotropaceae)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Species Information
General:
Perennial herb from a rhizome; parasites on mycorrhizal fungi associated with trees; "stems" erect, simple, 10-50 cm tall, 4-10 mm thick, glabrous, white with red or maroon stripes; persistent after seed dispersal; lacking chlorophyll.
Leaves:
Linear-lanceolate, scale-like, 20-35 mm long.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a spike-like, densely-flowered, terminal raceme, 5-20 cm long (about half the length of the stem); flower stalks erect; corollas cup-shaped, the petals 5, white or pinkish to brownish, about 5 mm long; calyces generally absent, rarely 2-4 sepals; stamens 10, exserted, purplish, anthers without awns.
Fruits:
Capsules, nearly globe-shaped, up to 5 mm wide.
Notes:
Petals are often incorrectly described as sepals. Stem and leaves can be considered part of the inflorescence.
Illustration
If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.
Illustration Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia
Ecology
Ecological Framework for Allotropa virgata
The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)
The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)
| Site Information |
Value / Class |
||
|
Avg |
Min |
Max |
|
| Elevation
(metres) |
351 | 30 | 900 |
| Slope
Gradient (%) |
31 | 2 | 70 |
|
Aspect (degrees) |
226 | 45 | 315 |
| Soil
Moisture Regime (SMR) [0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic; 8 - hydric] |
2 | 1 | 4 |
| Modal
Nutrient Regime
Class |
B | ||
| #
of field plots species was recorded in: |
21 | ||
| Modal
BEC Zone Class |
CWH | ||
|
All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in |
CWH(18), ICH(2), IDF(1) | ||
|
Source:
Klinkenberg 2013
|
|||