Cephalanthera austiniae
(A. Gray) A. Heller
Phantom orchid
Cephalanthera austiniae is a perennial herb (mycoparasitic) that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.
Bloom Period
The blue points on the map indicate observations in Calflora.
Click on the map to view observations within a specific county.
Click on the map to view observations within a specific county.
Jepson eFlora section:
monocot
USDA PLANTS group:
Monocot
Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest
[Wikipedia] Mycoheterotrophic Orchid: This is also the only Cephalanthera species entirely dependent on symbiotic mycorrhizae for its nutrition. This mycoheterotrophic orchid has no chlorophyll, so it makes no energy for itself. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)
[Wikipedia] Conservation: The plant is becoming more scarce as its habitat - dense, isolated forest - becomes more rare. Climate change models forecast decline and possible extinction of this species by the year 2100. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)
