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Orchid seeds contain no stored nutrients. Before they can develop, they must be infected by a specialized fungus that establishes a symbiotic relationship, sharing food and enzymes until the young plant can survive on its own. Coralroots, however, never become self-sufficient. Researchers have discovered that members of the genus Corallorhiza are parasitic orchids. They derive their nutrients from eating mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. While most plants make their own food with chlorophyll, Corallorhiza contains little or no chlorophyll. Despite the name, they have no roots but only hard, branched rhizomes that resemble coral. These plants will be found deep in coniferous forests and subalpine woods. They like rich humus and damp soils where a shaft of light reaches the forest floor. They tend to grow in clusters of many plants. or Spotted Coralroot Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata or Spotted Coralroot is named for its spotted lip. The flowers are purplish with purple spots on a ruffled white lip. The leafless stem is purple to yellowish with the flowers on the top half. The flower may not open fully. The plant is usually self pollinating and all flowers bear fruit. The distribution of this orchid is wide. It can be found in British Columbia across Canada to Newfoundland; western, northern and northeastern United States, south to California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
 or Western Spotted Coralroot The distribution is British Columbia thru Newfoundland south to California; Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, New England and Virginia. This orchid grows in coniferous and mixed woods. Plants ranges from reddish to tan in color. Where Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata and Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis occur together Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis typically flowers 2–4 weeks earlier.
 or Ozette Coralroot Corallorhiza maculata var. ozettensis or Ozette Coralroot was described in Washington State in 2001. In Washington State, this orchid grows in moist, foggy, shady forests on the northwest coastline of the Pacific Ocean on the Olympic Peninsula. The orchid communities are located in Clallam County and Island County in Washington State. The flowers are consistently non-spotted. The lip is narrow and white in color. If you see this orchid please get a GPS location and report the sighting to the Washington State Natural Heritage Program at 360-902-1710 or If you have any information about this orchid please email Washington Native Orchid Society: info@wanativeorchids.com
    or Western Coralroot Corallorhiza mertensiana or Western Coralroot is named after F.C. Mertens, a German botanist of the late 18th and 19th centuries. The flowers are deep pink with 3 dark veins and white tips. The column is bright yellow and houses the reproductive parts. The leafless stem is red with the flowers on the top half. Western Coralroot can be found along the trail to Comet Falls on Mount Rainier. The distribution is the Cascade and Coastal mountains from southern Alaska to northern California and in the Rockies from Wyoming north.
  or Striped Coralroot Corallorhiza striata var. straita or Striped Coralroot is called striped coral root because of the 3 purplish stripes on the sepals. This is the largest coralroot in North America. In my opinion, this is the prettiest coralroot. The flower is pink to yellowish-pink. The leafless stem is yellowish to magenta with the flowers on the top half. Albino forms occur naturally. In nature the plant will be pale yellow throughout. The distribution of this orchid is wide. The distribution is from British Columbia to Quebec in Canda and the following United States: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and New York.
   or Vreeland's Striped Coralroot Corallorhiza striata var. vreelandii is also called Small Western Striped Coral-root or Vreeland’s Striped Coralroot. This terrestrial orchid can be found growing in rich mesic or mixed forests. The leafless stem is reddish with the flowers on the top half. The 8 to 20 flowers are yellowish brown and streaked with purple. The sepals are a dull tan with pale purple lines. The lip is yellowish-white and striped with a dull purple red. The stems are pale tawny gold with reddish purple lines. The distribution range is Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California east thru North Dakota south to New Mexico, Mexico, Quebec.
   or Northern Coralroot Corallorhiza trifida or Northern Coralroot is named for its unusual distribution. This species is circumpolar around the north pole, giving it the name Northern Coralroot. The flowers have yellowish green sepals with pale greenish petals that are sometimes tinged purple. The flower's lip is white with few purple spots. The leafless stem is yellowish to greenish white. The greenish color in the plant indicates some chlorophyll in this species. North American distribution ranges from Alaska and the Aleutian Islands across Canada to Newfoundland and southern Greenland; in western United States from Washington and Oregon southeast to northern New Mexico; also east from Washington through Great Lakes States to Northeastern States.
 or Wister's Coralroot Corallorhiza wisteriana is also known as Wister’s Coralroot or Spring Coralroot and is the rarest orchid in Washington State. This terrestrial orchid can be found growing in rich often calcareous forests in an opening that receives some light. Research indicates this species has small amounts of chlorophyll. The flowers can number 5 to 25. The sepals are green in color. The petals are yellow and are suffused or mottled with purple. The lip is white with purple spotting. The leafless stem is brownish-yellow. The distribution is Mexico, Washington east to New Jersey, south to Arizona and Florida. In Washington State Corallorhiza wisteriana occurs in one county in southern Washington. Corallorhiza wisteriana has two forms that may occur in Washington State:
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