Conopholis americana

Conopholis  americana is parasitic on the roots of woody plants, especially oaks (genus Quercus) and beech (genus Fagus).  The only part of the plant generally seen is the cone-shaped inflorescence, which appears above ground in spring.  
The entire structure is a yellowish color, turning to brown and achieves heights of 10 centimeters (4 in) to 20 centimeters (8 in) tall.
Stems and leavesEdit
Stout and unbranched  1.3 centimeters (0.5 in) to 2.5 centimeters (1 in) thick stems.
Since C. americana does not photosynthesize it also does not have true leaves; it has instead simple, ovate, tiny scales 1.3 centimeters (0.5 in) long and brown, which appear underneath each flower.
FlowersEdit
Conopholis  americana produces spikes of yellow to cream flowers densely crowded all around the stem.  Each flower is 5-parted, 8 millimeters (0.3 in) to 13 millimeters (0.5 in) long, tubular with a swollen base and facing downwards. As the flowering spike matures and begins to wither and becomes brown throughout the summer and often persisting through the winter, by which time it has become shriveled and black.  There is no noticeable floral scent.
Fruits and reproductionEdit
Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule that is longer than it is wide and contains many small seeds. This plant spreads to new locations by reseeding itself.
RootsEdit
The root system is parasitic on the roots of oak trees (Quercus spp.); dependent on the host tree for its nourishment, the suckers of the parasitic roots cause the formation of large rounded knobs on the roots of the host tree.

Conopholis Americana

Conopholis americana

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