[The Orchid Family East of the Cascade Mts. of Oregon and Washington]
Coral-root Orchids East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington

The Genus Corallorhiza

Spotted Coral Root Orchid
Spotted Coralroot: Corallorhiza maculata - The lower lip is whitish and covered with dark red spots. The stems are light yellow to brownish-purple. The small spur is yellowish.

Merten's Coralroot: Corallorhiza mertensiana - The flowers are reddish-purple and lack longitudinal striping. The flowers are a dull purple or pink color. The spur is prominent.

Striped Coralroot: Corallorhiza striata - The flowers are flesh-colored with prominent purplish to reddish-brown striping. The spur is missing.

Northern Coralroot, Yellow Coralroot: Corallorhiza trifida (Synonyms: Corallorhiza corallorhiza, Corallorhiza corallorhiza var. coloradensis, Corallorhiza innata, Corallorhiza verna, Corallorhiza wyomingensis) - The lower lip is whitish and usually not red-spotted, although there may be spots in the throat. The stems are yellowish. The spur if present is attached to the top of the ovary.

Paul Slichter