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conopholis americana - squaw root/cancer root/american squaw root

Flower close up
Squaw Root (Conopholis americana) is a plant grows from 3 to 10 inches tall.  It is a parasitic plant with yellowish to cream-colored flowers that emerge among lanceolate or ovate, pointed, yellow-tan scales on the upper part of the fleshy stalk.  The plant is shaped like a curved tube.  The flowers are 1/2" long.  The upper corolla lip forms a narrow hood over a 3-lobed, spreading lower lip; 4 stamens are present in the flower.  The leaves are reduced to scales.

This plant resembles a pine cone as it becomes dry and brown with age.  It gets its nourishment from the roots of oaks, which are its host trees.

This plant is found in woods, growing underneath oak trees.  It flowers from May to June.

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  • Home
  • Animals
    • Birds >
      • Avian Taxonomy
      • Bird Species Profiles
    • Mammal Species Profiles
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians >
      • Frog and Toad Species Profiles
    • Fish
    • Arthropods >
      • Arthropod Species Profiles
  • Plants
    • Native Plant Societies
    • Eastern Plant Identification Guide
  • Fungi
    • Fungi Species Profiles
  • Protists
  • Nature Products Store
  • Cell Phone Ringtones
  • Madbird Feeder Cam
  • Ramblings of the Madbird Biologist
  • Bird Videos
  • News in Science
  • Nature Inspired Recipes
  • An Introduction to Scientific Classification and Naming
  • Birds in the Classroom
  • Resources
  • About Me