_Continental Range_—In rich woodlands. From Alaska, southward to Florida; westward to the Pacific region. There are about 15 species of this strange genus in the north temperate zone of the world. These species are destitute of green or any distinct form of foliage; their roots are without form, assuming coral-like masses, which draw nourishment for the plants from humus—the rich decay of dead roots and trees in the soil. These plants are known as saprophytes or root parasites. North American species north of Mexico 9 New England species 4 Hoosac Valley species 3 New England species: 1. _C. Corallorhiza_ (Linnæus) Karst, 1753-1880-1883. 2. _C. odontorhiza_ (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818. 3. _C. Wisteriana_ Conrad, 1829. 4. _C. multiflora_ Nuttall, 1823. 1.—CORALLORHIZA CORALLORHIZA (Linnæus) Karst, 1753-1880-1883 EARLY CORAL-ROOT The specific name, _Corallorhiza_, refers to the coral-like roots of the species and genus. Scapose rich woodland orchid, with coral-like roots. May 11th-June 28th-July 12th-August 5th (North) September-October (South). A vernal orchid, North, and an autumnal species in Georgia. The dates of flowering for the _Corallorhizas_ are variable and not standard. =Flowers=, 3-12 in a raceme 1-3 inches long, dull purple, about ½ inch long on short, minutely bracted pedicels. =Labellum= whitish, oblong, 2-toothed, shorter than petals, spur a small protuberance adnate to the summit of ovary. =Sepals= and =petals= narrow. =Stem= or =scape=, 4-12 inches high. =Leaves= reduced to 2-5 sheathing scales. =Seed-capsule= drooping. _Continental Range_—from Greenland, and Kotzebue Sound, Unalaska, southward throughout Canada to Georgia; westward to Washington and Oregon. Ascends 7600 feet in Yellowstone Park, where it is rather common. _New England Range_—Maine, common; New Hampshire, frequent; Vermont, common; Massachusetts, common; Rhode Island, not reported; Connecticut, infrequent. 2.—CORALLORHIZA ODONTORHIZA (Willdenow) Nuttall, 1805-1818 SMALL-FLOWERED CORAL-ROOT—DRAGON-CLAW—LATE CORAL-ROOT—CRAWLEY-ROOT The specific name, _odontorhiza_, comes from the Greek, _odons_, a tooth, and _rhiza_, a root, referring to the tooth-like shape of the coralloid roots. Small slender woodland orchid, with coral-like masses of roots. February-March-May (South); July-August-September 6th-October 15th (North). =Flowers=, 6-20, purplish, in raceme 2-4 inches long. =Labellum= oval, denticulate, narrowed at base; not notched, whitish; =spur= small, adnate to top of ovary. =Sepals= and =petals= lanceolate, marked with purple lines. =Stem= sheathed with 3-4 scales, 6-15 inches high. Confused with _C. Corallorhiza_ northward. _Continental Range_—From Ontario, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, southward to Alabama, Florida, and Texas; westward to Illinois and Indiana. Ascends 3000 feet in North Carolina.