Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis

This was phgotographed at the Au Sable Institute near Coupeville on Whidbey Island while on a camping trip with a group of young people. We were camped at Fort Ebey and while on a excursion to Port Townsend and Fort Worden, across the Sound, I made a quick side trip to see what was blooming at the Institute.

The Corallorhizas are all leafless plants without chlorophyll that live off decaying material in the soil. Washington has a five diffferent species, often found in dark, dry areas in the forests.

nativeorchidsofthepacificnorthwest.blogspot.com/2011/06/c...