Pacific Coralroot: The Mysterious Orchid You Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Grow
Meet the Pacific coralroot (Corallorhiza mertensiana), one of nature’s most fascinating freeloaders. This unusual native orchid has mastered the art of living without doing any of the work – and that’s exactly what makes it so remarkable and nearly impossible to grow in your garden.
What Makes Pacific Coralroot Special
Unlike most plants you know, Pacific coralroot is a perennial orchid that has completely given up on photosynthesis. You won’t find any green leaves on this plant because it doesn’t need them. Instead, it’s what scientists call mycoheterotrophic – a fancy way of saying it gets all its nutrients by tapping into underground fungal networks. Think of it as nature’s ultimate couch surfer.
This forb produces coral-pink to yellowish stems that emerge from underground rhizomes, topped with small, hooded flowers. The entire plant typically reaches 6-16 inches tall and has a distinctly ghostly appearance due to its lack of chlorophyll.
Where Pacific Coralroot Calls Home
Pacific coralroot is native to western North America, naturally occurring in Alaska, western Canada, and the western United States. You’ll find it growing in Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. It thrives in the deep, rich soils of coniferous forests, particularly those dominated by fir, pine, and spruce trees.
Why You Probably Shouldn’t Try Growing It
Here’s where things get interesting – and challenging. Pacific coralroot has some very specific requirements that make it nearly impossible to cultivate:
- It depends entirely on mycorrhizal fungi for survival
- These fungi must already be established in a mature forest ecosystem
- The plant has no backup plan – without its fungal partners, it dies
- Transplanting almost always fails because you can’t move the entire fungal network
Even experienced orchid growers and botanical gardens struggle to keep Pacific coralroot alive in cultivation. The plant is so specialized that it’s best appreciated in its natural habitat rather than in gardens.
Growing Conditions in Nature
In the wild, Pacific coralroot flourishes in:
- Deep forest shade under coniferous trees
- Rich, well-draining forest soils with thick duff layers
- Cool, moist environments with stable temperatures
- Areas with established mycorrhizal networks
- USDA hardiness zones 3-8, depending on elevation
Ecological Role and Benefits
While Pacific coralroot might seem like it’s just taking from the ecosystem, it actually plays an important role in forest health. The plant helps move nutrients through the forest via its fungal connections, and its flowers, though small, do provide nectar for some specialized pollinators. When the plant dies back, it returns nutrients to the forest floor.
Appreciating Pacific Coralroot
Instead of trying to grow Pacific coralroot, consider yourself lucky if you spot one during a forest hike. These orchids are indicators of healthy, mature forest ecosystems. Their presence tells you that the forest’s underground networks are thriving and complex.
If you’re interested in native orchids for your garden, consider easier-to-grow alternatives like lady slipper orchids or native terrestrial orchids that don’t depend entirely on specific fungal relationships.
Pacific coralroot reminds us that not every beautiful native plant belongs in our gardens – sometimes the best way to honor these species is to protect their natural habitats and appreciate them where they’ve chosen to make their homes.
