A Parasitic Plant in Bloom
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| Red/Purple Beech Drops |
Rambling is a favorite activity of
mine. It frequently takes me down meandering dirt roads and
seldom-used trails that wind through forests of tall trees and fields
of mountain flowers. On a recent ramble my vehicle ventured slowly
along a dirt road as I peered out the window space in hopes of seeing
one of nature's treasures. Since my eyes “see things,” I was soon
rewarded with some plants I had never seen except in books; however,
I recognized them immediately from my studies. Beech Drops.
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| Yellow Beech Drops |
Beech Drops, Epifagus virginiana,
are parasitic plants that grow on the roots of beech trees. They have
no leaves. The plants can be reddish-purple, brown, or yellow and the
blooms, which are about one-half inch long, are reminiscent of some
of our wild orchids.
The flowering time is August to October, and the
blooms do attract insects. The plants can reach 20 inches tall.
When
you next go rambling, keep your eyes open for these unusual plants. Now is the time.