Belarus: Petroff Krest or Common Toothwort Flower
Known in Russian as Petroff Krest (Peter’s Cross) and in English as Toothwort, this is one of the most bizarre European spring wildflowers out there. It’s a parasite! The plant spends most of it’s life underground as white stems that form crosses and suck the nutrients out of mostly trees of alder and hazel. In spring, bizarre pink-colored flowers that are thick and meaty and juicy break through above ground, completely lacking any chlorophyll.
Share this entry