Other common names:
American Cancer Root, Cancer Root Other scientific names: Orobanche americana French names:
Conopholis d'Amérique Family: Broom-rape Family (Orobanchaceae) Distinctive features:
No leaves; pale yellow colour (lacks chlorophyll). Similar species: • Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) - Much thinner stem; pale white; has a single flower at the top of the stem. • Pinesap (Hypopitys monotropa) - Much thinner stem; closer in appearance to Indian Pipe. Flowers: Summer; Green/Brown, Yellow; Irregular flowers; Waxy-looking. Leaves: None Habitat: Forests Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 18 Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 122, 392 ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 316 Native/Non-native:
Native Notes:
Parasitic on roots of trees, in particular oaks.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: americana: American For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers Photographs:
167 photographs available, of which 11 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
These plants have no chlorophyll. They instead obtain their nutrients from the roots of trees, usually oak and beech.
Just coming up in the spring.
Larger plant; the flowers aren't yet open.
A nice little "grove" of Squawroot (Conopholis americana).
Closeup of open flowers.
Remnants of the plant in late summer.
In January the remnants are still visible (if there's no snow!).
Closer view of a plant remnant in mid-winter.
And a closeuup of a winter plant.
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