E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis (Lindl.) Ames
western spotted coralroot
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

© Mark Gardiner  Email the photographer   (Photo ID #66430)

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Distribution of Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis
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Species Information

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General:
Perennial, saprophytic herb from coral-like rhizomes; stems (15) 20-55 cm tall, red to yellow-brown, smooth.
Leaves:
Bractlike and sheathing.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a terminal raceme of 10 to 40 short-stalked, erect to spreading and ultimately bent back flowers, the bracts scalelike; sepals usually the same colour as stem, oblong to lanceolate, 5.5-10 mm long, the lower spreading; lateral petals deep pink to red, sometimes dark-spotted; lip 5-7 mm long, white, red- to purple-spotted, base with 2 lateral lobes, larger terminal lobe irregularly fine-toothed; spur less than 2.5 mm long; column 3-5 mm long, curved over lip, yellowish, purple-spotted.
Fruits:
Capsules, egg-shaped, drooping, 15-20 mm long.

Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Habitat / Range

Moist to dry forests in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent throughout BC, especially along the coast, south of 55 degrees N, rare northward; E to NF and S to ME, MA, PA, SC, TN, IA, TX, NM, AZ and CA; Guatemala.

Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Links

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General References