Phantom Orchid (Eburophyton austiniae)

King’s Mountain Trail, Tillamook NF, Oregon, 7/2015.
This rare, endangered plant is only found in the rich soils of shady pacific northwest forests. Another so-called saprophyte, it derives its energy from a not yet fully understood underground nutrient system, fueled by specific fungi linked to selected plant and tree species. The only member of the orchid family that contains no chlorophyll, it is sometimes placed in the genus “cephalanthera” rather than “eburophyton”.

King’s Mountain Trail, Tillamook NF, Oregon, 7/2015.
Happy Halloween from NWWildflowers!
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This entry was posted on October 31, 2014 by nwwildflowers. It was filed under Cascades, Coastal, Columbia Gorge West, July, June, Low Elevation, Mid Elevation, orchid, saprophytic/mycotrophic, shaded forests, Southern Oregon / Northern California, Unique to Northwest, Washington, white and was tagged with Columbia Gorge, flower, Hamilton Mountain Trail, saprophytic/mycotrophic, Wildflowers.
What a gorgeous orchid! I have never seen one.
November 5, 2014 at 6:01 pm