other names- summer coralroot habitat- humus of shaded conifer forest floor range- California mountains and foothills up to 9000 ft, SF bay area, North America S to New Mexico, N to Alaska description- saprophytic (without clorophyll, obtains nutrients from decaying organic matter through roots), orangish-brown stem to 2 ft tall with numerous alternate flowers on narrow calyx tubes, sepal lobes similarly colored as stem, side petals spreading, white lower lip petal with maroon spots and short lateral lobes at the base etymology- corallorhiza, from the Greek korallion, red and rhiza, root referring to the brilliant red coral-like roots, maculata, spotted applications- tea used to treat skin problems and to break fever by inducing sweating.

CAUTION: The growth cycle of saprophytic plants is easily disrupted. This combined with the local scarcity of this plant indicates that it should not be harvested. Consult an expert before eating or using any wild plant for herbal applications.