Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Pterospora andromedea

Pterospora andromedea (Pinedrops)
Synonym: Ericaceae (Heath Family), Monotropaceae (Pinesap Family)

Montane. Woodlands. Spring.
East Fork of the San Juan River, June 25, 2007.

Having no chlorophyll, Pinedrops make their living as parasites on the roots of conifers in dry forests. These young Pinedrops, growing in a Ponderosa forest, have probably been showing above the forest floor for no more than a week. They will continue their rapid growth and, depending on the moisture available, will attain a height of one to three feet.

"Pterospora" is Greek for "winged seeds". "Andro" is Greek for "male" and "medea" for "genitals".

Thomas Nuttall named this genus and this species in 1818 .

Pterospora andromedea (Pinedrops)
Synonym: Ericaceae (Heath Family), Monotropaceae (Pinesap Family)

Montane. Woodlands. Spring.
Near Chris Park Trail, July 12, 2007.

The plants at left are over two feet tall and probably will grow another eight inches. Flowers at the bottom of the flower stalk open first.

Pterospora andromedea (Pinedrops)
Synonym: Ericaceae (Heath Family), Monotropaceae (Pinesap Family)

Montane. Woodlands. Spring.
Near Chris Park Trail, July 12, 2007.

Pterospora andromedea (Pinedrops)
Synonym: Ericaceae (Heath Family), Monotropaceae (Pinesap Family)

Montane. Woodlands. Spring.
Fish Creek Trail, May 16, 2007.

Pinedrops wither brown and remain a strange sight until crushed and dissolved by snow, or they may stand, as in this photograph, into the next growing season.

Pterospora andromedea (Pinedrops)
Synonym: Ericaceae (Heath Family), Monotropaceae (Pinesap Family)

Montane. Woodlands. Spring.
Fish Creek Trail, October 15, 2009.

Maroon Pinedrops capsules split open and spill a myriad of minute seeds, each with a wing about 5 times as large as the seed. The wings, not the seeds, are visible on my fingers.