Canada/Saskatchewan: Prince Albert NP – Spotted Coralroot Orchids

Among nearly a dozen orchid species that we counted in the Prince Albert National Park, one stood out – Corallorhiza maculata aka Spotted Coralroot Orchid. The biology of this orchid species is truly amazing – unlike most plants, it lacks chlorophyll and doesn’t photosynthesize. Instead, it forms a mycoheterotrophic relationship with fungi underground, drawing nutrients from decaying organic matter through the fungi. This orchid gets its name from the coral-like appearance of its rhizome roots (these rhizomes can live for many years, even decades, lying dormant underground between flowering periods) and the spots on its small, reddish-brown or yellowish flowers. It typically grows in shady, moist forests and is often found in the leaf litter on the forest floor, the orchids are rather rare and need specific mushrooms in the ground to grow.