Pinedrop
The
Woodland Pinedrop (
Pterospora andromedea) is considered an oddball plant that lacks chlorophyll. It's perennial growing from a tight root ball and is parasitic of fungi that occur near trees.
I found this sprout emerging from the ground in late July at Misty Beach on verge of Haslam Lake near Powell River, BC.
The plant grows in a single stalk from 30 cm to 1 metre tall (11-39 inches). It has scale-like leaves at the bottom and flowers bending down at the top. Dispersal is by seed.
 |
Source: E-flora BC
|
There are two guides I use frequently for Coastal BC plant identification. Online I first consult
E-Fora BC. It has a great search engine, common and scientific name listings, diagrams, full colour images, and links to other resources. This image for the Pinedrop is an example. The original image came from
The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia.
For plant identification I like to use
Plants of Coastal British Columbia by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon. It includes trees, shrubs, wildflowers, aquatics, grasses, ferns, mosses, lichens and, of course, some oddball plants like the Pinedrop. -- Margy
Good info with pics. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy ABCW!
Thanks for this educational and very informative post. I have never heard of the pinedrop flowers. I have certainly learnt something new today.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Margy!
Wil, ABCW Team.
Beauty seemingly pops out of seemingly ordinary.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
Neat, I don't think I have ever seen one of those - will have to keep my eyes out. Are you good at iding baby fish? I wonder if my id of baby sturgeon is correct in my latest post - really skinny long fish off quadra. Much different than salmon chum (I think, certainly I am no expert) - take a look at the picture if you get a minute. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful things there are in this world! Thank you for sharing this... I'd never before heard of it! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou have such diversity in plants out your way!
ReplyDelete