Phantom Orchid
Also called:
Snow orchid
Scientific Name:
Cephalanthera austiniae
These are very rare and they should not be picked or disturbed
This is a mycoheterotrophic orchid. It has no chlorophyll, so it makes no energy for itself.
This orchid is a nonphotosynthetic parasite. It uses fungal intermediaries to withdraw nutrients
from other plants. There is no direct contact of the parasite with its host plant. Instead, it is attached to
a host
indirectly through fungal intermediates.
The plant can stay dormant for years before sending out a new stem. It may bloom once and then go into remission for up to 17 years.
These are very rare and should not be picked or disturbed