Conopholis americana aka American Cancer Root

Taxonomy

Genus Conopholis Family Orobanchaceae Order Lamiales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Conopholis americana, also known as American cancer-root, bumeh, bear corn, squawroot, and bear cone, is a fascinating and unusual plant. It is a perennial, non-photosynthesizing parasite that belongs to the Orobanchaceae family. Though it was previously listed as Orobanche, it is now more commonly referred to as Conopholis. This plant is native to North America, but not endemic. It is often found growing from the roots of oak and beech trees, where it resembles a pine cone or cob of corn. Squawroot is a medicinal plant that produces no chlorophyll of its own and lives mostly underground. It has an unusual life cycle, in which its seeds sink into the ground near a tree in the red oak family. Unlike other plants, which send up leaves to collect chlorophyll, the squawroot seed's first task is to send down roots. These roots travel down until they make contact with the oak's roots, and they latch on. Cancer-root typically grows from 2 to 8 inches tall and less than an inch wide. It can appear anywhere from April to July, depending on your location on the east coast. It is a perennial parasitic plant that grows in large areas of Eastern America on organically rich forest soils. Despite its parasitic nature, it does not seem to harm the trees it grows on. Overall, Conopholis americana is a unique and intriguing plant that is worth learning more about.

Common names

American Cancer Root, Bear Corn, Squawroot, Bumeh

How to care for American Cancer Root

Difficulty

American Cancer Root requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

American Cancer Root should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

American Cancer Root loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

American Cancer Root requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your American Cancer Root will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

More info:
Wikipedia

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More Species in Conopholis Genus

Conopholis alpina Alpine Cancer Root