Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis

This is the Western Spotted Coralroot, a mycotrophic plant without chlorophyll or leaves, photographed along Padden Ridge above Lake Padden. This variety of the Spotted Coralroot blooms earlier than the ordinary variety, is found only in the west, and is distinguished not only by its earlier bloom time but by the rounded lip. The ordinary variety has a lip that is straight-sided. This is one of the more common native orchids in our area.