Pacific Coralroot

Corallorhiza mertensiana

Native to:
Aleutian Is., Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Orchidaceae
Genus:
Corallorhiza
Species:
Corallorhiza mertensiana
USDA Symbol:
COME17

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
40 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
purple, red, yellow

Garden & Ecology Notes

Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained forest soil
pH:
5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers decaying organic matter

Propagation & Germination

Notes:
Mycoheterotrophic orchid; seeds require specific mycorrhizal fungi for germination and cannot be germinated conventionally.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI