N. California: What is this plant?

Discussion in 'Pacific Northwest Native Plants' started by slejsek, May 21, 2012.

  1. slejsek

    slejsek Member

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    I live at about 4000 foot elevation near Mount Lassen in Shasta County California. Every spring we have quite a few of these unusual spikes come up throughout our property. They are about 8-10" high and the flowers look like miniature orchids. Can someone please tell me what this is?
     

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  2. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Canna?

    Welcome to the Forum!
     
  3. slejsek

    slejsek Member

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    I don't think so. They have no foliage and are small slender stalks covered with these flowers. The one in the photo is laying on a 4" square deck post.
     
  4. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Looks like an orchid to me, not sure which species though. Presumably one of the mycoheterotrophic species with no chlorophyll.
     
  5. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    It's a Californian-native orchid. Look at Striped Coralroot, Corallorhiza striata (and maybe next time take your camera to the flowers - native orchids are generally rare and shouldn't really be disturbed, just a suggestion....)
     
  6. slejsek

    slejsek Member

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    Thank you. I'll check into that one and see if this is it. And will definitely not remove one next time! We have quite a few.
     
  7. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Definitely striped coralroot orchid.
     

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