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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Conopholis americana

Bearcorn, Cancer Root

Scientific Name:

Conopholis americana

Genus:

Conopholis

Species Epithet:

americana

Common Name:

Bearcorn, Cancer Root

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Orobanchaceae (Broomrape Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

0-1 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Yellow, Brown

Light:

Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May, June

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Rich, moist forests, under and hemiparasitic on Quercus species.

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

No Apparent Leaves

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Said to be a favorite food for bears and thus the seeds are spread by the bears.
Conopholis apparently germinates near an oak root, forms a parasitic connection to the root, resulting in the formation of a gall consisting of both Quercus and Conopholis tissue. Weakley 2015 Edition

Bloom

image

Tom Harville
Little Switzerland, NC
Mid May

Blooms

image

Tom Harville
Little Switzerland, NC

More blooms

image

David McAdoo

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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