SafePlants

Corallorhiza trifida: Early Coralroot, Northern Coralroot, or Yellow Coralroot

Corallorhiza trifida, belonging to the Orchidaceae (Orchid Family), is a fascinating orchid with several common names and an interesting lifestyle. This page explores its key features, distribution, and more.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant arises from a branched, coralloid rhizome.
• Leaves are reduced to several bladeless bracts sheathing the stem.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Corallorhiza trifida
• Common Names: Early Coralroot, Northern Coralroot, Yellow Coralroot, Three-parted Coralroot, Spring Coralroot, Pale Coralroot
• Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)
• Synonyms: Corallorhiza innata R. Br., Corallorhiza intacta Cham., Corallorhiza verna Nutt., Corallorhiza corallorhiza, Corallorhiza corallorhiza var. coloradensis

Distribution and Habitat

• Corallorhiza trifida is native to both North America and Eurasia.
• It's found across much of the U.S. and Canada, typically in moist forests.

Morphological Characteristics

• This is a perennial herb.
• It's a terrestrial orchid, typically growing 8-35 cm tall.
• The plant arises from a branched, coralloid rhizome.
• Leaves are reduced to several bladeless bracts that sheath the stem.
• The flowers are arranged in a raceme.

Ecological Role

• The coralroot orchids are leafless and rely entirely upon symbiotic fungi within their coral-shaped rhizomes for nutrition, making them saprophytic.

Related Species

• Corallorhiza maculata variety maculata (Spotted Coralroot)
• Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis forma immaculata (Western Coralroot Orchid, yellow spotless form)
• Corallorhiza wisteriana (Spring Coral-root)
• Corallorhiza mertensiana (Western Coralroot)
• Corallorhiza striata var. striata (Striped Coralroot)

Further Information

• PlantSystematics.org