Corallorhiza

Corallorhiza
Coralroot orchid
Corallorhiza trifida
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Maxillarieae
Subtribe: Corallorhizinae
Genus: Corallorhiza
Gagnebin
Synonyms

Corallorrhiza Gagnebin, orth. var.

Corallorhiza, the coralroot orchids, is a genus of flowers in the orchid family. Most species are leafless, relying entirely upon symbiotic fungi within their coral-shaped roots for sustenance. Because of this dependence on myco-heterotrophy within their mycorrhizae, they cannot be successfully cultivated.

Most species do not produce chlorophyll, and do not depend on photosynthesis for energy. An exception is the yellowish green species Corallorhiza trifida, which has some chlorophyll and is only partially dependent on its fungal associates for nutrition.[1]

Except for the circumboreal C. trifida, the genus is restricted to the New World.

Contents

List of species

  • Corallorhiza anandae
  • Corallorhiza arizonica
  • Corallorhiza arizonica
  • Corallorhiza bentleyi
  • Corallorhiza bigelovii
  • Corallorhiza bigelovii
  • Corallorhiza bulbosa
  • Corallorhiza corallorrhiza

Gallery

See also

  • Neottia
  • Pterospora

References

  1. ^ Zimmer, K., et al. (2008). The ectomycorrhizal specialist orchid Corallorhiza trifida is a partial myco-heterotroph. New Phytologist 178:2 395-400.
  • Freudenstein, J.V., A Monograph of Corallorhiza. Harvard Papers in Botany 10:5-51, 1997


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