Epifagus virginiana aka Beechdrops

Epifagus virginiana, or beech drops, is a small annual wildflower. It belongs to the broomrape family, Orobanchaceae. Its native range spans eastern Canada and central and eastern America. It also reaches Tamaulipas and Hidalgo in Mexico. This plant lives in temperate woods beneath American beech trees. Its name refers to its close link with beech.

Beech drops lacks chlorophyll, the green pigment plants use to make food. Instead, it draws all its nutrients from beech roots. Chemicals from those roots trigger its seeds to sprout. Several upright stems rise from a woolly base. They reach about 1.3 feet (0.4 metres) in height. The stiff stems range from tan to brown. Purple or yellow-brown marks may break up their colour. Most stems feel smooth, though some bear fine hairs. Tiny brown leaves look like scales rather than broad blades. They grow in an alternate pattern and have smooth edges. Each leaf has a triangular or egg-shaped outline.

Flowers appear from late summer into fall along the stems. Their colours include white, brown, copper and purple. Each flower measures less than an inch across. The lower flowers stay small and look like buds. These flowers can fertilise themselves and produce seed. The upper flowers form tubes but are usually sterile. Long-tongued bees may visit the blooms. Small brown capsules follow the flowers. These dry fruits split when ripe and release tiny seeds. Wind can then carry the seeds to new sites.

Its need for a living host limits its garden use. It cannot tolerate removal from the beech roots that support it. It is therefore unsuitable for a standard flower bed. Its place is in native woodland beneath its host trees. Reported conditions include dappled light or partial shade. The soil should stay moist but drain well. It occurs in sand, loam and clay, with acid to neutral soil. NC State lists USDA zones 3–11 and a moderate growth rate.

The plant adds late-season interest to its woodland setting. Its host dependence is the main growing problem reported. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases. People once made tea from it to treat ailments. Plants For A Future lists no known food or medicinal uses. That source reports no known hazards, but this does not establish safety.