Bodie California, USA, 2017
This plant, found in the eastern half of the U.S., grows flowers of both sexes but is not self polinating. It first produces male flowers then female flowers after the male flowers have matured and died off. Flies that are attracted to the smell of this flower do the polinating.
This orchid makes up for its lack of chlorophyll by becoming a parasite of fungi. I find these parasitic plants both fascinating and beautiful. I consider myself lucky when I stumble upon them. This one was found on a trail leading to a waterfall and was in pristine enough condition to warrant a return hike to retrieve the camera.
