OROBANCHACEAE - - Broomrape Family

Conopholis americana (Linnaeus) Wallroth — Squawroot, Bearcorn

Habitat:

Rich, moist forests, under and hemiparasitic on Quercus species. Conopholis apparently germinates near an oak root, forms a parasitic connection to the root, resulting in the formation of a gall consisting of both Quercus and Conopholis tissue. The gall can be up to 25 cm in diameter, and lasts for many years, repeatedly sending up flowering shoots. It is believed that the gall exists underground for some years prior to first flowering.

Habitat information from:
Weakley, Alan S., Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States, Working Draft of 21 May 2015.

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].