Corallorhiza

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Coralroot orchid

Corallorhiza trifida

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Higher Epidendroideae
Tribe:	Maxillarieae
Subtribe:	Corallorhizinae
Genus:	Corallorhiza Gagnebin

Species

Corallorhiza bulbosa
Corallorhiza ekmanii
Corallorhiza macrantha
Corallorhiza maculata
Corallorhiza mertensiana
Corallorhiza odontorhiza
Corallorhiza striata
Corallorhiza trifida
Corallorhiza wisteriana

Synonyms

Corallorrhiza Gagnebin, orth. var.

Corallorhiza, the coralroot orchids, is a genus of flowers in the orchid family. Species are leafless, relying entirely upon symbiotic fungi within their coral-shaped roots for sustenance.

They do not produce chlorophyll, and do not depend on photosynthesis for energy. Also, because of their dependence on myco-heterotrophy within their mycorrhizae, they cannot be successfully cultivated.

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