Corallorhiza trifida
Northern coralroot
(c) Lucian Vazquez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Orchidaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Corallorhiza trifida (Northern coralroot) is a native California herb in the Orchidaceae family, recognized by geographically restricted to Plumas County, smallest flowers in genus.
Northern coralroot is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Plumas County, inhabiting wet, open to shaded conifer forests at elevations of 1,400 to 1,700 meters. Flowering in July, this orchid produces white or pale yellow flowers with white or red-spotted lips, approximately 3 to 4.5 millimeters long. Growing 8 to 30 centimeters tall with a slightly green stem, it emerges delicately in forest understories. Its flowers feature distinctive curved lower sepals with minute mentum and lateral petals that are sepal-like, creating an intricate and subtle woodland bloom. The small orchid's fruit ranges from 8 to 14 millimeters in length, contributing to its delicate woodland presence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; geographically restricted to Plumas County, smallest flowers in genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, open to shaded, generally conifer forest
Elevation: 1400-1700 m
California counties: Plumas
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern United States, New Mexico, Eurasia
Bloom period
Corallorhiza trifida blooms Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 trifida native to California?
Yes. Corallorhiza trifida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Corallorhiza trifida bloom?
Corallorhiza trifida blooms Jul.
Where in California does Corallorhiza trifida grow?
Corallorhiza trifida occurs in Plumas, at elevations of 1400-1700 m.
What plant family does Corallorhiza trifida belong to?
Corallorhiza trifida is in the Orchidaceae family, genus Corallorhiza.
Is Corallorhiza trifida rare or endangered?
Corallorhiza trifida carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Corallorhiza maculata — Spotted coralroot
- Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata — Summer coralroot
- Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis — Summer coralroot
- Corallorhiza mertensiana — Western coralroot
- Corallorhiza sp. — Coralroot
- Corallorhiza striata — Striped coralroot
- Cypripedium californicum — California lady's-slipper
- Cypripedium fasciculatum — Clustered lady's-slipper
- Cypripedium montanum — Mountain lady's-slipper
- Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin — Northern small yellow lady's-slipper
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.