CORALLORHIZA Meaning and
Definition
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Corallorhiza is a genus of terrestrial orchids that belongs to the family Orchidaceae. The name "corallorhiza" is derived from the Latin words "corallo," meaning coral, and "rhiza," meaning root, which are indicative of the plant's root structure resembling coral formations. This unique root structure is referred to as a myco-heterotrophic rhizome, as these orchids lack chlorophyll and rely on symbiotic relationships with fungi for their nutritional requirements.
Members of the Corallorhiza genus are primarily found in temperate regions across North America, Europe, and Asia. These orchids are characterized by their small size and inconspicuous flowering habits, with typically only a few flowers produced in a single inflorescence. The flowers themselves often possess a dull coloration, ranging from pale pink to yellowish-brown, and lack typical floral traits such as attractive scents and nectar guides.
Corallorhiza orchids are commonly known as coralroots due to their unique root structure and their preference for growing in humus-rich soils and leaf litter within forested areas. These plants have a mycoheterotrophic lifestyle, as they obtain nutrients through their association with mycorrhizal fungi, which in turn acquire nutrients from nearby trees. This intriguing ecological relationship allows Corallorhiza orchids to survive in nutrient-poor environments. While these orchids may be inconspicuous in appearance, they play an essential role in forest ecosystems by contributing to the overall biodiversity and functioning of the soil food web.
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Coral-root, dragon's claw, the root of Corallorhiza odontorhizo, a leafless saprophytic herb of the eastern United States; diaphoretic in doses of gr. 15-30 (1.0-2.0).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CORALLORHIZA
- xorallorhiza
- vorallorhiza
- forallorhiza
- dorallorhiza
- cirallorhiza
- ckrallorhiza
- clrallorhiza
- cprallorhiza
- c0rallorhiza
- c9rallorhiza
- coeallorhiza
- codallorhiza
- cofallorhiza
- cotallorhiza
- co5allorhiza
- co4allorhiza
- corzllorhiza
- corsllorhiza
- corwllorhiza
Etymology of CORALLORHIZA
The word "corallorhiza" has its origins in Greek. It is derived from two Greek words, "kórallo" (κόραλλο), meaning "coral", and "rhíza" (ῥίζα), meaning "root". The term "coral" is used to describe the appearance of the plant's rhizome, which resembles coral, while "rhiza" refers to the plant's root system. Thus, "corallorhiza" can be understood as "coral root" or "coral rhizome".
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