Allotropa virgata
Candystriped allotropa
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Family: Ericaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Allotropa virgata (Candystriped allotropa) is a native California herb in the Ericaceae family, recognized by Only member of genus Allotropa in North America, representing a distinct evolutionary lineage of mycoheterotrophic plants in Ericaceae.
Candystriped allotropa is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, high Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada in oak, mixed, and conifer forests at elevations of 75 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this unique non-green plant produces white flowers with striking red or maroon stripes, emerging erectly from the ground in raceme-like clusters. Growing without traditional stems or leaves, this rhizomatous plant has brittle roots and produces distinctive white flowers with five concave petals and maroon anthers that stand out against its pale coloration. Its unusual structure includes ten exserted stamens and a disk-like stigma, making it a remarkable parasitic plant that lacks typical green foliage. The plant produces a capsule fruit that dehisces from tip to base, containing many small fusiform seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only member of genus Allotropa in North America, representing a distinct evolutionary lineage of mycoheterotrophic plants in Ericaceae
Habitat and range
Habitat: Oak, mixed, or conifer forest
Elevation: 75-3000 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mono, Napa, Trinity, Mendocino, Tulare, Fresno, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Kern, El Dorado, Shasta, Sonoma, Mariposa, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Tuolumne, Butte, Yuba, Nevada, Tehama, Lake
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Nevada
Bloom period
Allotropa virgata blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Pterospora: Allotropa has red-and-white stripes; Pterospora is uniformly brownish without stripes.; vs Sarcodes: Allotropa has red-and-white stripes; Sarcodes is solid bright red throughout.; vs Monotropa: Allotropa stands upright with stripes; Monotropa nods when young and lacks stripes.; vs Pleuricospora: Allotropa has red-and-white stripes and protruding stamens; Pleuricospora is uniformly colored with included stamens.; vs Pityopus: Allotropa has distinctive candy-cane stripes; Pityopus is uniformly reddish-brown without stripes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Allotropa virgata native to California?
Yes. Allotropa virgata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Allotropa virgata bloom?
Allotropa virgata blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Allotropa virgata grow?
Allotropa virgata occurs in Humboldt, Mono, Napa, Trinity, Mendocino, Tulare, Fresno, Del Norte and other counties, at elevations of 75-3000 m.
What plant family does Allotropa virgata belong to?
Allotropa virgata is in the Ericaceae family, genus Allotropa.
What habitat does Allotropa virgata grow in?
Allotropa virgata grows in Oak, mixed, or conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.