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American cancer-root

Conopholis americana

Description:

This plant is parasitic on the roots of woody plants, especially oaks (genus Quercus) and beech (genus Fagus). The cone-shaped inflorescence is the part of the plant that is visible.

Habitat:

Mixed hardwood forest.

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3 Comments

KristalWatrous
KristalWatrous 12 years ago

Here's some more info about this plant: http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wood...

KristalWatrous
KristalWatrous 12 years ago

I'm not sure why it is called cancer-root. Possibly because it is parasitic on other plants (mostly oak trees) and, according to wikipedia, causes "the formation of large rounded knobs on the roots of the host tree. Another common name is squawroot.

CindyBinghamKeiser
CindyBinghamKeiser 12 years ago

Hi Kristal, the name caught my attention. Do you know why it's named this?

KristalWatrous
Spotted by
KristalWatrous

Pennsylvania, USA

Spotted on May 12, 2011
Submitted on Sep 20, 2011

Spotted for Mission

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