June 2026
LATIN NAME: Corallorhiza maculata
COMMON NAME: Spotted Coralroot
FAMILY: Orchidaceae
TYPE: Perennial
ORIGIN: North America
LOCATION AT THE RESERVE: Orchid Woods & Maple Lane
FUN FACT: Often overlooked in our native woodlands, the orchid species Corallorhiza maculata is a remarkable plant that lacks chlorophyll and survives as a myco-heterotroph. Instead of producing its own energy through photosynthesis, it relies on ectomycorrhizal fungi in the genus Russula, drawing nutrients indirectly from the roots of nearby trees. Its species name, maculata, means “spotted,” a reference to the distinctive purple spots found on the flower’s lip. These fun little native flowers are part of the reason Orchid Woods has its name!
–Content by Gardens North Manager Sean Peterson
