Conopholis americana (Linnaeus) Wallroth. Common name: Bearcorn, Oakdrops, Cancer-root. Phenology: Mar-Jun. Habitat: Rich, moist forests, under and hemiparasitic on Quercus species. Distribution: NS west to WI and south to c. peninsular FL, AL, and TN; disjunct in se. Mexico (CHP, OAX, PUE).
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Other Comments: Haynes (1971) discusses the nature of the parasitism. Conopholis apparently germinates near an oak root, forms a parasitic connection to the root, resulting in the formation of a gall consisting of both Quercus and Conopholis tissue. The gall can be up to 25 cm in diameter, and lasts for many years, repeatedly sending up flowering shoots. It is believed that the gall exists underground for some years prior to first flowering.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, Fl7, FNA17, G, Il, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV, Haynes (1971), Rodrigues et al (2013), Rodrigues, Colwell, & Stefanović (2011), Thieret (1971); < Conopholis alpina Liebm. — Mex; Orobanche americana Linnaeus. Basionym: Orobanche americana L. 1767
Links to other floras: = Conopholis americana - FNA17
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Heliophily ⓘ: 1
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© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Fleshy, erect perennial lacking chlorophyll, found in rich, moist forests under oak trees.
Stems: Stems leafless, thick and fleshy (up to 1 in. thick), yellowish- to pale-brown, covered with brown scales and often growing in clumps.
Leaves:
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers densely packed into a spike that occupies half or more of the plant, pale-yellow, to ½ in. long, tubular with 2 lips.
Fruits: Fruit an oval to round capsule.
Comments: The whole plant, which is parasitic on the roots of oaks (Quercus spp.), resembles an ear of corn and later, as it turns dry and brown with age, a pine cone.
Height: 4-10 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Fleshy, erect perennial lacking chlorophyll, found in rich, moist forests under oak trees.
stems: Stems leafless, thick and fleshy (up to 1 in. thick), yellowish- to pale-brown, covered with brown scales and often growing in clumps.
leaves:
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers densely packed into a spike that occupies half or more of the plant, pale-yellow, to ½ in. long, tubular with 2 lips.
fruits: Fruit an oval to round capsule.
comments: The whole plant, which is parasitic on the roots of oaks (Quercus spp.), resembles an ear of corn and later, as it turns dry and brown with age, a pine cone.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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