Corallorhiza trifida; The coralroot orchid is a small orchid, barely 15 cm tall. Typically it also misses green leaves. It grows in vegetations on nutrient-poor soils like heather lands some poor meadows. The name refers to the rootstocks which have coral-like branching. This orchid can easily be overlooked. It is called a myco-heterotrophic species, meaning it parasites on soil fungi. It has some chlorophyll for photosynthesis, though this is not sufficient enough to do without the soil fungi.
It is a member of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The Icelandic name of this species is Kræklurót.
FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Corallorhiza trifida, Coralroot orchid, Kræklurót
A brief introduction to Iceland plants
Text & Photographs by Dick Vuijk
- unless stated otherwise
Text & Photographs by Dick Vuijk
- unless stated otherwise
Other orchids
Other orchids