What is "corallorhiza"

Corallorhiza \Corallorhiza\ n. a genus of leafless root-parasitic orchids having small purplish or yellowish racemose flowers with lobed lips; it is widely distributed in temperate regions.

Syn: genus Corallorhiza. [WordNet 1.5] ||

Corallorhiza, the coralroot, is a genus of flowers in the orchid family. Except for the circumboreal C. trifida, the genus is restricted to North America (including Mexico, Central America and the West Indies).

Most species are parasitic, relying entirely upon mycorrhizal fungi within their coral-shaped rhizomes for sustenance. Because of this dependence on myco-heterotrophy, they cannot be successfully cultivated. Most species are leafless and rootless. They do not produce chlorophyll, and do not utilize photosynthesis. An exception is the yellowish green species Corallorhiza trifida, which has some chlorophyll and is only partially dependent on its fungal associates for nutrition.