Corallorhiza striata

Description:
A saprophytic orchid species native to our mountain forests. In summer, a single stalk bearing dark pink with white stripes emerges from the forest floor. Small flowers adorn the upper half of the soft fibrous pink hued stalk. By autumn, the stalk turns black, and under our typical summer drought the seed capsules open to allow the pollen like yellow seed to disperse on the slightest breeze. Lovely enough to be featured on our Canadian stamp.

Notes:
Classified as a fungus flower because its extreme symbiotic relationship with the forest mychorrizae fungus. Because of this, this orchid doesn't possess roots but lumpy nodes where it and the mychorrizae become one. Any removal of this orchid from its established 'bed' is lethal, so please don't collect from the wild. I found these stalks whilst mushroom hunting and in all my years, I've only found a few so one call consider it rare.

Cultivation:
From what I understand, Corallorhiza needs mychorizae fungus from conifer forests in order to germinate. Coral root doesn't have a root system but is symbiotic with the forest mychorizae and needs the mychorizae in order to germinate. Will be shipped in a vial. I have no experience germinating any orchid, it could be possible challenge for both novice and vetran alike. An easy and very interesting orchid germination technique using cardboard can be found at: http://www.agc-bc.ca/bulletin/AGCofBC-winter2006.pdf