Corallorhiza mertensiana

Like all the Coralroots, the Western Coralroot, Corallorhiza mertensiana, is mycoheterotrophic, depending on a complex relationship with a soil fungus for its nourishment. It is without chlorophyll and without leaves and comes in a rainbow or colors, from reddish-purple to pink to off-white, tan and yellow and the flowers, too, are endlessly variable in color and spotting or lack thereof. This beautiful yellow was photographed on Whidbey Island earlier this year and the link below shows many other color forms photographed at the same time and later in the spring.