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Coral root (Corallorhiza)
Coral root is a genus of flowering plants in the orchid family. Most species are relying entirely upon mycorrhizal fungi within their coral-shaped rhizomes for sustenance. Most species are leafless and rootless. The genus is restricted to North America (including Mexico, Central America and the West Indies). 
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Orchid
Key Facts About Coral root
Feedback
Attributes of Coral root
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃
Scientific Classification of Coral root
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Monocotyledons
Order
Asparagus and allies
Family
Orchid
Genus
Coral root
Distribution of Coral root
Feedback
Distribution Map of Coral root
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Coral root
Feedback
Coral root, or coralroot orchids, have particular care needs reflecting their unique growth dynamics. For light, they prefer shady or partially shady locations, being forest-dwelling plants. They demand humid conditions, correlating to higher water needs. Optimal temperature ranges are cooler, mirroring their native habitats. They thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic PH. Common challenges include infestations by slugs and snails, and diseases like rot, often due to excess moisture. Seasonally, they tend to be dormant in winter, requiring less water, while increasing needs in spring and summer, and reducing in fall.
Exploring the Coral root Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Spotted coralroot
A North American orchid, spotted coralroot does not have any chlorophyll. It is parasitic in nature. It has no leaves and, instead, grows many intricate flowers on it's reddish to cream-colored stems. Spotted coralroot only grows a few inches tall.
Pacific coralroot
Pacific coralroot (*Corallorhiza mertensiana*) is a plant that is indigenous to northwestern North America. Other names for it include Mertens’ coralroot and western coralroot. It is a parasitic orchid, which means it draws nutrients from a host plant. Its hosts are ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Hooded coralroot
Hooded coralroot (Corallorhiza striata) is indigenous to North America. It grows in rotting material in forests. It doesn’t use photosynthesis to meet its nutritional requirements. Instead, it uses a process known as “mycoheterotrophy.” What this means is the orchid gets its food by being a parasite of certain fungi.
Spring coralroot
Spring coralroot (Corallorhiza wisteriana) is a terrestrial orchid that grows straight out of the ground and has no chlorophyll, deriving its nutrition from the roots of other plants. It blooms from winter to spring with brownish-green flowers that are accented with purple spots.
Autumn coralroot
Autumn coralroot is a member of the orchid family, found in woodlands and plantations. It does not photosynthesize as it lacks chlorophyll, instead parasitizing mushrooms. This herbaceous wildflower blooms in the late summer and early fall but the flowers are not showy, since the plant does not rely on insects for pollination. Its name, Corallorhiza odontorhiza, refers to its coral-red underground stems.
Yellow coralroot
Yellow coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida) is a most singular plant in that it has no leaves! Instead, it takes some of its nutrients from certain fungi. Its rather small and plain flowers are something of a surprise since this plant is actually an orchid. This in part explains why the plant is not grown ornamentally, in addition to the fact that its natural growing conditions are very hard to replicate.
Summer coralroot
Summer coralroot is a distinctive orchid with a spotted, brown-yellow tuberous root resembling coral, hence its name. It features a leafless, erect stem bearing a spike of pinkish-brown flowers, each spotted with purple, a detail which aids in its recognition. This foliage-free orchid absorbs nutrients from decaying organic matter, thriving in shady, moist forest habitats.
Summer coralroot
Summer coralroot is an intriguing wild orchid with spotted, stripe-like patterns on its lip, which give it a distinctive look. This leafless plant relies on a partnership with fungi for nutrients, thriving in the shady forest underbrush. Its coral-like root system and tan to reddish-brown coloration mirror its woodland home, often blooming with delicate, small flowers that have a mysterious allure.
All Species of Coral root
Spotted coralroot
Spotted coralroot
A North American orchid, spotted coralroot does not have any chlorophyll. It is parasitic in nature. It has no leaves and, instead, grows many intricate flowers on it's reddish to cream-colored stems. Spotted coralroot only grows a few inches tall.
Pacific coralroot
Pacific coralroot
Pacific coralroot (*Corallorhiza mertensiana*) is a plant that is indigenous to northwestern North America. Other names for it include Mertens’ coralroot and western coralroot. It is a parasitic orchid, which means it draws nutrients from a host plant. Its hosts are ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Hooded coralroot
Hooded coralroot
Hooded coralroot (Corallorhiza striata) is indigenous to North America. It grows in rotting material in forests. It doesn’t use photosynthesis to meet its nutritional requirements. Instead, it uses a process known as “mycoheterotrophy.” What this means is the orchid gets its food by being a parasite of certain fungi.
Spring coralroot
Spring coralroot
Spring coralroot (Corallorhiza wisteriana) is a terrestrial orchid that grows straight out of the ground and has no chlorophyll, deriving its nutrition from the roots of other plants. It blooms from winter to spring with brownish-green flowers that are accented with purple spots.
Autumn coralroot
Autumn coralroot
Autumn coralroot is a member of the orchid family, found in woodlands and plantations. It does not photosynthesize as it lacks chlorophyll, instead parasitizing mushrooms. This herbaceous wildflower blooms in the late summer and early fall but the flowers are not showy, since the plant does not rely on insects for pollination. Its name, Corallorhiza odontorhiza, refers to its coral-red underground stems.
Yellow coralroot
Yellow coralroot
Yellow coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida) is a most singular plant in that it has no leaves! Instead, it takes some of its nutrients from certain fungi. Its rather small and plain flowers are something of a surprise since this plant is actually an orchid. This in part explains why the plant is not grown ornamentally, in addition to the fact that its natural growing conditions are very hard to replicate.
Summer coralroot
Summer coralroot
Summer coralroot is a distinctive orchid with a spotted, brown-yellow tuberous root resembling coral, hence its name. It features a leafless, erect stem bearing a spike of pinkish-brown flowers, each spotted with purple, a detail which aids in its recognition. This foliage-free orchid absorbs nutrients from decaying organic matter, thriving in shady, moist forest habitats.
Summer coralroot
Summer coralroot
Summer coralroot is an intriguing wild orchid with spotted, stripe-like patterns on its lip, which give it a distinctive look. This leafless plant relies on a partnership with fungi for nutrients, thriving in the shady forest underbrush. Its coral-like root system and tan to reddish-brown coloration mirror its woodland home, often blooming with delicate, small flowers that have a mysterious allure.
Autumn coralroot
Autumn coralroot
Autumn coralroot is an intriguing woodland orchid with a unique lifestyle, lacking chlorophyll and therefore, relying on a symbiotic relationship with fungi for nutrients. This leafless plant features clusters of small, brownish-purple flowers on fleshy stalks — a testament to its adaptation to low-light forest floors. Its tooth-like root protrusions give it its name and are key to its mysterious, almost ethereal, presence in shady habitats.
Autumn coralroot
Autumn coralroot
Autumn coralroot is an unusual wildflower that derives most of its nutrients from fungi rather than via photosynthesis. The plant grows mainly underground and only emerges in the fall when it produces purplish or greenish flowers. Both its Latin and common names refer to the plant's underground rhizomes, which have a coral-like formation and a toothlike base.
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Coral root
Corallorhiza
Coral root is a genus of flowering plants in the orchid family. Most species are relying entirely upon mycorrhizal fungi within their coral-shaped rhizomes for sustenance. Most species are leafless and rootless. The genus is restricted to North America (including Mexico, Central America and the West Indies).
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Orchid
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Key Facts About Coral root
Feedback
Attributes of Coral root
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃
Scientific Classification of Coral root
Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Monocotyledons Order
Asparagus and allies Family
Orchid Genus
Coral root Distribution of Coral root
Feedback
Distribution Map of Coral root
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Coral root
Feedback
Coral root, or coralroot orchids, have particular care needs reflecting their unique growth dynamics. For light, they prefer shady or partially shady locations, being forest-dwelling plants. They demand humid conditions, correlating to higher water needs. Optimal temperature ranges are cooler, mirroring their native habitats. They thrive in rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic PH. Common challenges include infestations by slugs and snails, and diseases like rot, often due to excess moisture. Seasonally, they tend to be dormant in winter, requiring less water, while increasing needs in spring and summer, and reducing in fall.
Exploring the Coral root Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Spotted coralroot
A North American orchid, spotted coralroot does not have any chlorophyll. It is parasitic in nature. It has no leaves and, instead, grows many intricate flowers on it's reddish to cream-colored stems. Spotted coralroot only grows a few inches tall.
Pacific coralroot
Pacific coralroot (*Corallorhiza mertensiana*) is a plant that is indigenous to northwestern North America. Other names for it include Mertens’ coralroot and western coralroot. It is a parasitic orchid, which means it draws nutrients from a host plant. Its hosts are ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Hooded coralroot
Hooded coralroot (Corallorhiza striata) is indigenous to North America. It grows in rotting material in forests. It doesn’t use photosynthesis to meet its nutritional requirements. Instead, it uses a process known as “mycoheterotrophy.” What this means is the orchid gets its food by being a parasite of certain fungi.
Spring coralroot
Spring coralroot (Corallorhiza wisteriana) is a terrestrial orchid that grows straight out of the ground and has no chlorophyll, deriving its nutrition from the roots of other plants. It blooms from winter to spring with brownish-green flowers that are accented with purple spots.
Show More Species
All Species of Coral root
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
