Corallorhiza maculata var. ozettensis (Raf.) Raf. E. Tisch
Ozette coralroot
Orchidaceae (Orchid family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Rosemary Taylor     (Photo ID #58506)

Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Corallorhiza maculata var. ozettensis
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Introduction

Reported in 2001 by E. L. Tisch, this variety of the spotted coralroot is described as follows: "It occurs in foggy rainforests bordering the Pacific coast of the north Olympic Peninsula. Unlike typical C. maculata, its flowers are consistently non-spotted, with a narrow, white labellum bearing two apical undulations and low, non-rugose basal lamellae. ... Corallorhiza maculata var. ozettensis grows in moist, foggy, very shady to moderately illuminated forests bordering the northwest coastline of the Olympic Peninsula. The collection sites, all within 300 m of the Pacific Ocean, are overstoried by mixture of Picea sitchensis, Thuja plicata, Tsuga heterophylla in the tree layer; Vaccinium alaskense, V. ovatum, V. parvifolium and Menziesia ferruginea in the shrub layer. The common herb associates are Blechnum spicant, Polystichum munitum, Maianthemum dilatatum, Tiarella trifoliata, Listera caurina, and L. cordata." (Tisch 2001)

References: Tisch. E. L. 2001. New variety of Corallorhiza maculata (Orchidaceae) in Washington. Botanical Electronic News 276, November 15, 2001.

Species Information

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 and 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

© 2019 E-Flora BC  Contact us