botanizing:Corallorhiza trifida (Orchidaceae)pale coralrootAll coralroots are mycoheterotrophs, mean
botanizing:Corallorhiza trifida (Orchidaceae)pale coralrootAll coralroots are mycoheterotrophs, meaning they take nutrients from neighbouring trees via underground connections with mycorrhizal fungi. It was previously thought that they were saprophytes, which externally break down organic matter and absorb the nutrients from it. C. trifida is unique among the coralroots in that it derives nutrients both from photosynthesis and from mycoheterotrophy. This is one of three (3!) orchid species I saw in Jasper over the weekend of May 26-27. The first was one I’ve seen before, stay tuned for the third one. -- source link
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