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American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> <br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58939/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html" title="American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/58939_thumb.JPG?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=vFpsxKslLrBGWFZqI29BxO8uYdQ%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58941/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58942/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71247/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71248/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html American cancer-root,Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States,bear corn,orobanchaceae" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58941/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html" title="American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/58941_thumb.JPG?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=YdAjt2TNxlSMAXaSWBRKDKk6XDk%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> <br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58939/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58942/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71247/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71248/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58942/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html" title="American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/58942_thumb.JPG?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=ghJtMKQzDivKF07VHDWZoeZvxuw%3D" width="102" height="152" alt="American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> <br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58941/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58939/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71247/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71248/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html American Cancer-root,Bear corn,Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States,orobanchaceae" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71247/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html" title="American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/71247_thumb.JPG?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=R0TO4Bvqot3V%2BlEoHxp0gAd9YcI%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> <br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58939/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58941/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58942/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71248/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html American cancer-root,Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States" /></a></figure> American cancer-root,Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana)

Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.

Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.

It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.

American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58941/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58942/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71247/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71248/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html American cancer-root,Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States,bear corn,orobanchaceae

American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> <br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58939/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58942/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71247/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71248/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States

American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> <br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58941/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58939/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71247/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71248/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html American Cancer-root,Bear corn,Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States,orobanchaceae

American Cancer-Root aka Bear Corn (Conopholis americana) Gigantic patch growing in a shaded valley under pines and oaks in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US. April 10, 2018.<br /> <br /> Conopholis americana is a parasitic, non-photosynthetic plant in the Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) Family which depends on the roots of oak and beech trees for its nourishment.<br /> <br /> It is also a vital early spring foodstuff for bear populations and is thought to make up about 16% of the diet of bears within the Smoky and Shenandoah Mountain Regions. It comes in second place (behind acorns) as an energy source for bears.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58939/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58941/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/58942/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/71248/american_cancer-root_aka_bear_corn_conopholis_americana.html American cancer-root,Conopholis americana,Geotagged,Spring,United States

    comments (3)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Cool, so to find bears, this would be a good place to watch? Posted 6 years ago
    1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Yup. It is also a spot that may be visible in early spring from the top of the ridge (where our camper is/house will be). I'll definitely be watching with my binoculars!

      Note: we also found bear prints around this time near the vernal pools/water puddles very close to this area.       Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
      1. View Patomarazul's profile
        Patomarazul
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Wow, Lisa, did not know these were such a food staple for the bears! But it makes sense..I bet they are protein rich these saprophytic plants> careful with the bear watching! we want you in one piece, lady! :-) Posted 6 years ago

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The American Cancer-root

"Conopholis americana", the American cancer-root, is a perennial, non-photosynthesizing parasitic plant, native but not endemic to North America and when blooming, resembles a pine cone or cob of corn growing from the roots of mostly oak and beech trees.

Info 9 0
Similar species: Lamiales
Species identified by Flown Kimmerling
View Flown Kimmerling's profile

By Flown Kimmerling

All rights reserved
Uploaded Dec 21, 2018. Captured Apr 10, 2018 16:52 in 234 Oakman Rd NE, Ranger, GA 30734, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 39,925 9,640 8
  • Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
  • f/7.1
  • 1/400s
  • ISO400
  • 60mm

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