Summer coralroot. I didn't think this one was an orchid until I looked closely at it. This species is super special because it completely lacks chlorophyll. It's a mycoheterotroph that associates with Russula fungi to steal nutrients from their mycorrhizal relationship with trees.

  • Wildgrapes [she/her]
    ·
    1 year ago

    Now this is the pro beta I want honestly. Great. I was hiking around there from the Hessie trailhead recently. The area is magic.

    • happybadger [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      1 year ago

      Nederland is so pretty. Rogers Lake especially is a highlight of the year for me. It's right under the Continental Divide so you can keep following the trail and end up walking the length of that ridge in a couple more miles.