Pine-drops

Pterospora andromeda is a mycotrophic plant that lives in association with conifer trees. It gets its nourishment not through the process of photosynthesis and is in fact without chlorophyll, but through a symbiotic relationship with a soil fungus that feeds on decaying plant matter.

This was photographed along the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park. When we were there this summer they were doing road work at the west entrance and there were huge delays. We took the opportunity to get out of the car and take pictures and were pleased to discover these.

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