Taxon Report

Corallorhiza trifida Chatel.

northern coralroot

Print Report


© 2021 Scot Loring

Taxon Summary

Corallorhiza trifida, commonly known as northern coralroot, is a perennial rhizomatous herb (achlorophyllous) in the Orchidaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Lower montane coniferous forest, and Meadows and seeps (edges), growing at elevations from 1370 to 1745 meters. Corallorhiza trifida is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Corallorhiza trifida Chatel.
Common Name:
northern coralroot
Family: Orchidaceae
Element Code: PMORC0M050
USDA Plants Symbol: COTR18
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial rhizomatous herb (achlorophyllous)
Blooming Period: Jun-Jul Jun-Jul
Elevation: 1370-1745 (4495-5725)
General Habitats: Lower montane coniferous forest, Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat: Mesic
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 7
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 2
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 3
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Nevada (NEV), Plumas (PLU)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Bucks Lake (3912182), Graniteville (3912046), Haypress Valley (3912055), Meadow Valley (3912181)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 3
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
5 71 %
Recreational use (non-ORV) 3 42%
Improper burning regime 2 28%
Logging 2 28%

Notes

Possibly threatened by recreational activities. See The Wasmann Journal of Biology 36:199-200 (1978) for information on CA occurrence near Buck's Lake, Fremontia 19(1):22-23 (1991) for account of recent discovery (1990), and The Wild Orchids of California, p. 56-58 (1995) by R. Coleman for species account.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 30 January 2025].