California Pinefoot

Description

It is a perennial herb that is mycoheter-trofo , parasitizing the fungi to obtain the nutrients. It is cream or white, without chlorophyll . He is the smallest of the family. 1 Produces a fleshy peduncle without stem above the leaf litter of the forest floor, reaching no more than 10 centimeters in height. It is covered with leaves like scales, so small that they do not carry out photosynthesis . The aerial part of the plant is essentially just the inflorescence , with 2 to 11 white cylindrical flowers blooming for a short time. The flower has four or five white petals and a furry throat. A berry less than a centimeter wide that contains many seeds is produced. The mature plant has a scent reminiscent of Brie cheese , which can serve to attract pollinators. 2 After the fruiting of the plant withers until the time of the next flowering.