Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata
Summer coralroot
Photo: parent species Corallorhiza maculata · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata (Summer coralroot) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by var. occidentalis by bract size and lip shape; 4 sympatric species.
Summer coralroot is a California native perennial orchid found in northwestern California, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, southern California mountains, Peninsular Ranges, Modoc Plateau, and White and Inyo Mountains in shaded mixed-evergreen or conifer forests, growing in decomposing leaf litter at elevations up to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small flowers with delicate white to pale pink spots and blotches, clustered in distinctive inflorescences. Growing as a non-photosynthetic mycoheterotrophic orchid with slender, pale stems arising from coral-like underground rhizomes, it lacks typical green plant structures. Its flowers have minimal bracts approximately 0.5 to 1 millimeter long, with lips that do not widen toward the flower's tip. This unique orchid survives by obtaining nutrients through a symbiotic relationship with forest fungi, making it a fascinating example of plant adaptation in woodland ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Distinguished from var. occidentalis by bract size and lip shape; 4 sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded mixed-evergreen or conifer forest, in decomposing leaf litter
Elevation: < 2800 m
California counties: Tulare, Marin, Del Norte, San Diego, El Dorado, Lake, Monterey
Outside California: to British Columbia, Colorado, New Mexico, also southeastern Canada, northeastern United States
Bloom period
Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Pyrola: Corallorhiza is completely leafless; Pyrola has basal rosette of green evergreen leaves.; vs Pterospora: Corallorhiza has multiple small orchid flowers; Pterospora has urn-shaped flowers and sticky-hairy reddish stems.; vs Sarcodes: Corallorhiza has small distinct orchid flowers; Sarcodes has bright red fleshy bell-shaped flowers.; vs Epipactis: Corallorhiza is entirely brown/purple toned; Epipactis has green leafy stems.; vs Spiranthes: Corallorhiza is brown/pink/purple throughout; Spiranthes has green stems with white flowers in spiral.
Frequently asked questions
Is Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata native to California?
Yes. Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata bloom?
Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata grow?
Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata occurs in Tulare, Marin, Del Norte, San Diego, El Dorado, Lake, Monterey, at elevations of < 2800 m.
What plant family does Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata belong to?
Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Corallorhiza.
What habitat does Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata grow in?
Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata grows in Shaded mixed-evergreen or conifer forest, in decomposing leaf litter.
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.