XPine Drops (Pterospora andromedea)X
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Pine Drops -or- Woodland Pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea), family Ericaceae (Heath)
Weber has them in Monotropaceae (Pine Sap), as does the USDA Plant Database. However even Weber mentions the common inclusion of Pine Drops in the Heath family. Mark was on a dual sport mootorcycle ride in the Rampart Range area when he saw this specimen. This perennial herb is the only species in the genus. It is native to North America from southern Canada to the mountains of Mexico, per WIKIPEDIA. These are interesting from a botanical perspective in that they lack the normal plant presence of chlorophyll. These plants instead feed on organic material in surrounding soils. From WIKIPEDIA: 'They live in relationship with mycorrhizal fungi that is not yet well understood, described as either parasitic or symbiotic upon the fungus by different experts. Whatever the exact relationship, they derive all their carbon from their associated fungus, which entirely covers the outside surface of the roots.' End quote.
USES: From the website Native American Ethnobotany are the following uses of this species by Native Americans: Keres, Western Boiled plant used as an emetic. Cheyenne Cold infusion of ground stems and berries taken for lung hemorrhages. Cold infusion of stem and berries taken for "bleeding at the lungs." Infusion of ground berries and stems used as an astringent. Cold infusion of ground stems and berries used as snuff for nosebleeds, and to prevent nosebleeds. Cold infusion of ground stems and berries taken for lung hemorrhages. Okanagan-Colville Infusion of roots taken for gonorrhea. Kawaiisu Stems eaten raw, "roasted" or baked below the fire "like mushrooms." Jemez (Ceremonial Items) Leaves smoked in the kiva.
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Plant location: Seen on Hidden Valley Road, Sedalia Colorado - GPS coordinates: N39?11.483 W105?03.973 - Elevation: 8731'. August 11, 2010, Pike National Forest. This species is found in the following United States: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MI, MT, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY - and a good amount of Canada as well.Plant -
Bloom season: Don't see any foliage in this 'foliage' slide? This species does not produce recognizable foliage! So here is a different common view of the plant during it's blooming time, the range is from June through August.Foliage -
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