Another Vampire Of The Plant World

This benign looking vertical pinecone, as it is sometimes called, is actually a Conopholis americana, or Squaw Root, or Cancer Root.  A member of the Orobanchacae, or Broomrape family, it is another chlorophyll free plant that feeds off of Oak Tree roots.  And because it really takes so little nutrients, it doesn't harm or weaken the tree.

Because the word "squaw" is such a derogitory term, I hate using it, but the plant got its name from Native women boilng the roots to make an astringent, that they then applied during their cycles.  The astringent caused the skin to pucker, and was also found useful in the treatment of hemorroids.

The other common name, Cancer Root was given because it was believed to be beneficial in the topical treatment of cancerous ulcers. It's cousin the Beech Drop also carries this common name for the same reason. 

To ingest its bitter taste, will cause extreme nausea.  I feel sorry for the people who found out the hard way.

Like the Indian Pipe, this plant comes up on its own, and is a poor transplant. It shows its first pale, cream colored, hairless spikes in late Spring, and will bloom soon after, into early Summer.  Tubular flowers begin opening from the bottom up, and will take 3 weeks to complete blooming.  They have no noticeable scent, and will begin wilting and turning brown after pollination. It self seeds, and also depends upon bears digesting it, to spread the seed.

It isn't particular about light sources, growing just as well in the semi dappled shade of its host tree, or under the darker canopy of a forest.  And while this specific species favors the Northeast corner of the United States, it can be found as far West as Iowa, and North, far up into Canada.  Of the 90 species, and 2000 genera of the Broomrape family, they've got the whole continent covered from coast to coast.

So when you are out enjoying those first warm days of Spring, look around the perimeters of trees in Oak or Beech forests for these unique, leafless plants! If you find a colony, you have been given a special gift! Enjoy the moment!

The White Plant With No Leaves

Although you won't find this plant in a catalog, or a nursery, I thought that it would be appropriate to begin our journey with a native plant that to me, is one of the mysterious, but most magical and enchanting you will find in our wooded areas.

It is the Monotropa uniflora, commonly known in different areas of the country as Indian Pipe, or Dutchman's Pipe, Ghost Flower, or even the creepy name of Corpse Plant.  And it grows in one subspecies or another, from coast, to coast.

Indian Pipe, as it is commonly known in my area, is a chlorophyll free plant. It isn't a mushroom, toadstool, or any type of fungus.  Even though it is cool, moist and firmly spongy to the touch, it is a true plant, with true botanical reproduction parts. It does produce  pollen and seeds, that look like fine dust.

Because it doesn't produce chlorophyll, there isn't any need for separate leaves.  Little white scales form directly on the stalk or stem.  It was formerly thought to be a saprophyte, a parasite, but it links itself with a mycorrhizal fungus to obtain nutrients, and the fungus, in turn, attaches itself to tree roots in shady, damp forest floors, using under layers of leaf litter. But it doesn't just take, but gives back sugars that are necessary for tree growth.

Around here, I find them growing under Oak trees, but up in the U.P., my friend was gifted with them growing under her Hemlocks and Cedars.  She considered them a good sign! 

And indeed, if you do find them growing in your garden, please don't try and transplant them, not only because they are a protected, and in some states, endangered species, but because they will die.  They are very fragile themselves, bruising extremely easily, producing a clear geletinous ooze, turning black very quickly, and then dying. Beyond that, they are part of a fragile symbiotic system intertwined with other living species that has taken years to achieve the right balance for growth.

Native People used the roots to help treat nervous disorders and eye conditions, but modern medicine has not explored any possible benefits from this plant.  Considering its fragile nature, that might be a good thing.

As the plant matures, the drooping flower head will bloom for one day, then within the next few days, slowly straight upright on the stem, before turning black. Some subspecies, that I've found, will turn a beautiful deep red color, before withering back.

So when you venture out this Spring, especially after a good soaking rain, and again in Autumn, when you are looking upwards, enjoying the colors of the trees, remember to look down too.  These delightful little plants can sometimes be easy to miss, but once you find them, you will fall under their spell, as I have done! 

Wishing everyone a safe, warm weekend!