An observational study of Corallorhiza trifida and Corallorhiza striata in the northern Great Lakes region.

Abstract

In general, Corallorhiza striata and Corallorhiza trifida are found in fairly similar habitats such as mixed forests, cedar swamps, and bogs. Through the observations I made during the course of this study, however, the suggestion of a difference in habitat preference between the two was seen. C. trifida appearaed to be more comfortable growing in wetter locations and C. striata perferred the drier locales. This is only speculation based on the data and further sites would need to be explored to make this theory more compelling. Despite this possible difference between them, I also observed the habitats of these two species to overlap a great deal. From observation, it also becomes evident that C. trifida and C. striata are shade tolerant and were never seen growing in full sunlight over the course of this study. Investigation into the fungal associates of these plants might be an interesting addition to the comparative observations in this paper.