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American cancer-root

Conopholis americana

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40.5728, -77.85

Field Notes

Description:

This plant is parasitic on the roots of woody plants, especially oaks (genus Quercus) and beech (genus Fagus). The cone-shaped inflorescence is the part of the plant that is visible.

Habitat:

Mixed hardwood forest.

Reference Links:

Conopholis americana

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
KristalWatrous
Here's some more info about this plant: http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/cancer_root.htm
KristalWatrous
I'm not sure why it is called cancer-root. Possibly because it is parasitic on other plants (mostly oak trees) and, according to wikipedia, causes "the formation of large rounded knobs on the roots of the host tree. Another common name is squawroot.
CindyBinghamKeiser
Hi Kristal, the name caught my attention. Do you know why it's named this?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Flowers of North America

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Photographed
PublishedSeptember 20, 2011

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