Appalachian Oak-leech

Yellow, trumpet shaped flower on a tall, slender stalk with oppositely arranged leaves.

Aureolaria laevigata is hemiparasitic on oak tree species. It is photosynthetic, however, it must obtain some of its mineral nutrients and water from the host plant. It accomplishes this via modified roots call haustoria which penetrate host tissues. Parasitism is a common feature of plants in the Orobanchaceae family.

Pollinators include hummingbirds and bumblebees.