St Bruno Coral Root DSC 1842

Coral root orchid. Coral roots (Corallorhiza) are orchids that, with one exception, make no chlorophyll and live by taking (stealing) nutrients from fungi in the soil (myco-heterotrophy). Most of the plant is below ground, (the coral root) growing in intimate contact with its fungal provider. All that appears above ground is a single leafless shoot with an array of small, rather delicate flowers. Found on the forest floor, park St. Bruno, Quebec.