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Boschniakia rossica
Beautiful and unique pink and yellow flowers that I find on trails occasionally. I often find these past their prime when they are brown and really look like pinecones.
On a mountain trail next to a river. They popped up right in the middle of the trail
They are holoparasites, meaning they require a host to complete their life cycle. Groundcones specialize on Alders, but can parasitize off of other trees and shrubs such as on Birch, Willow, Blueberry, Spruce, and Leatherleaf shrub. I have seen all of these, except Leatherleaf shrub in Kodiak.
6 Comments
Thank you for the nomination!
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Yes they are parasitic on salal mainly, which is very common where I go hiking and birding. Salal is very hard to see under, but I have not given up yet!
Apparently a favourite food of Grizzly Bears!
Thanks Kathleen! Have you tried targeting where they might be by looking for forests with their host plants?
Nice spotting Machi! I have often looked for the related Vancouver Groundcone - Boschniakia hookeri- but never found it yet! My sister saw some on Vancouver Island.