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Coralroot Orchid (Corallorhiza spp.)
Coralroot orchids are myco-heterotrophic plants that lack chlorophyll and obtain nutrients entirely through fungal associations. They occur in shaded forests and rely on complex underground networks, making them highly dependent on intact soil and fungal communities.
Ecological Role
Coralroot orchids link plant and fungal communities through shared mycorrhizal networks. Their presence indicates stable forest soils and well-developed fungal assemblages. By bypassing photosynthesis, they illustrate alternative survival strategies within forest ecosystems.
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