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Coral root Corallorhiza trifida  elected by the Estonian Orchid Protection Club (Eesti Orhideekaitse Klubi) as orchid of the year.

 

The early or yellow coral root is one of three Estonian orchid species that lack green leaves and that during their whole life cycle depend on symbiosis with fungi: they are myco-heterotrophic. Actually the fungus is fundamentally a transporter of nutrition, because at the other end a tree with photosynthesis is connected to the mycelium of the fungus. The coral root has been named after the peculiar shape of the rhizome that really resembles a densely intertwined coral. It grows an above-ground stem only when it flowers. The 10-20 centimetres high stem is fragile and without leaves. In May or the first half of June the flowers of the coral root open: 2-12 millimetres large, yellowish-green and with a few red spots on the whitish lip (labellum). If it sets seed, the drooping stems with fruits of the coral root can be seen in the second half of summer.

The coral root grows in boggy forests and copses and in marshes. Close to the water on steep banks of creeks and rivers is also suitable. The coral root occurs in the whole of the northern temperate zone. It grows, but sparsely, in the whole of Estonia..

 

 

Translator's notes: 

A list of Estonian orchid species - http://orhidee.ee/index.php?id=5 (Latin and Estonian names)

Photos and distribution maps for earlier Orchids of the year http://orhidee.ee/index.php?id=7