Western Spotted Coralroot

Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis is an orchid with no chlorophyll and derives its carbohydrates from a parasitic relationship with fungi. The plant is reddish in color, fleshy and somewhat brittle with leaves that are reduced to mere scales. The flower petals are spotted with red dots (maculata = spotted).

Erect raceme of 6 to 50, ½-inch flowers. Flaring at the top is a central sepal flanked by a pair of petals, with two lateral spreading sepals just below them, the sepals slightly longer than the petals. The tips, edges and outer surface are a deep reddish brown to nearly red, consistent with the color of the ovaries and stem but more yellow on the inner surface, especially towards the base. A few darker purplish spots are scattered on the surfaces. The lower lip is white with purple spotting, the larger central lobe is an inverted egg shape (obovate), widest towards the tip, with a wrinkled surface and wavy edges, curling back along sides and tip. 2 short pointed oval lance lobes are at the base. The pollen sacs hug the inside of the curved center column.

The large conspicuous ovary and short stalk are subtended by a short lance-shaped bract up to 1/8 inch long that is often forked.

Leaves are reduced to several overlapping sheathes on the lower stem. Smooth throughout, leaves and stem range in color from paler brownish red to brighter reds. Stems are single to multiple clusters.

Ovaries develop into hanging elliptic capsules, often pinkish yellow at maturity.