Intro: Clumped, erect, chlorophyll-lacking perennial found under beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) in moist to dry forests.

Stems: Stems stiff, sometimes branched, cream or tan-colored (often with purple streaks), bearing small brownish scales rather than leaves. Stems darken with age and persist through winter.

Leaves:

Inforescence:

Flowers: Two types of flowers are tucked into the scales: closed bud-like flowers on lower parts of the stem, and open tubular flowers with 4 short, flaring lobes in upper parts. Both are cream-colored with purple streaks.

Fruits: Fruit (produced only by closed flowers) an oval capsule filled with minute seeds.

Comments: E. virginiana is an obligate parasite on the roots of beech trees.

Height: 4-18 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Clumped, erect, chlorophyll-lacking perennial found under beech trees (Fagus grandifolia) in moist to dry forests.

stems: Stems stiff, sometimes branched, cream or tan-colored (often with purple streaks), bearing small brownish scales rather than leaves. Stems darken with age and persist through winter.

leaves:

inflorescence:

flowers: Two types of flowers are tucked into the scales: closed bud-like flowers on lower parts of the stem, and open tubular flowers with 4 short, flaring lobes in upper parts. Both are cream-colored with purple streaks.

fruits: Fruit (produced only by closed flowers) an oval capsule filled with minute seeds.

comments: E. virginiana is an obligate parasite on the roots of beech trees.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: