Home Orchidaceae Corallorhiza

Corallorhiza odontorhiza (Willd.) Nutt.

Common Name: FALL CORAL-ROOT
Coefficient of Conservatism: 8
Coefficient of Wetness: 5
Wetness Index: UPL
Physiognomy: Nt P-Forb

Dry open oak forests; pine plantations; much less often in beech-maple forests or under tamarack.

The stem is ± bulbous or enlarged at the base in this species, unlike our other species. This occurs in two varieties, the commonest in Michigan is var. odontorhiza, with a closed perianth; var. pringlei (Greenm.) Freudenst. with an open perianth is scattered and uncommon. This is the latest species of Corallorhiza to bloom in Michigan. Flowering collections have been made from mid-August through September, with fruiting occurring through October.

Corallorhiza odontorhiza clearly is increasing in Michigan as well as spreading northward. However, a Montmorency County record from 1947 is not mapped because it was purported to have been collected in June in a Sphagnum bog; presumably there was a label mix-up. Otherwise, records from north of the middle of the Lower Peninsula did not begin to appear until the late 1960's.

A. Menk

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Counties
Alger
Allegan
Antrim
Barry
Benzie
Berrien
Calhoun
Cass
Charlevoix
Clare
Crawford
Grand Traverse
Huron
Kalamazoo
Kalkaska
Lake
Lapeer
Leelanau
Lenawee
Manistee
Mason
Midland
Montmorency
Newaygo
Oakland
Oscoda
Ottawa
Saginaw
St. Clair
St. Joseph
Tuscola
Van Buren
Washtenaw
Wayne
Wexford

Citation:
MICHIGAN FLORA ONLINE. A. A. Reznicek, E. G. Voss, & B. S. Walters. February 2011. University of Michigan. Web. March, 17, 2025
https://lsa-miflora-p.lsait.lsa.umich.edu/#/record/1800