Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 8, 2015)
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 15 Pinedrops are an unusual forest plant By Craig F. eisenbeis Correspondent Perhaps you’ve seen them. Popping up along forest trails, or even in your own back- yard, pinedrops are one of the more unusual plant spe- cies awaiting your discovery. Hikers frequently ask, “What are those things?” And that’s a good question. The wood- land pine drop is a parasitic plant that lives in a sort of biological “three-way,” with a particular type of fungus and — not surprisingly, given its name — pine trees. Wo o d l a n d p i n e d r o p s appear in the spring and on into the summer, erupt- ing from the forest floor, looking initially like big and tall skinny mushrooms. Commonly, these purplish plants range in height from one to three feet but have been reported to grow as high as six feet. Pinedrops do not possess enough chlorophyll to achieve their own photo- synthesis, and that is where the parasitic aspect of these plants comes into play. This curious parasite draws its sustenance from pine roots with the apparent assistance of a fungus of the genus Rhizopogon. Originally thought to be a saprophyte, pinedrops do not directly draw nourishment from either decaying forest material or from living pine-tree roots. Rather, pinedrops parasit- ize the fungus, which — in turn — taps into the pine- tree roots, thus creating the three-way relationship. The symbiotic nature of this pro- cess has not been extensively studied and is not completely understood. The maturing pine drop plant develops a distinctive and attractive white cluster- flower in a tassel that is quite recognizable, particularly when it appears atop the pur- plish, leafless stem. Initially somewhat fragile and tender, deer apparently consider the developing flower to be a del- icacy since they often nip the flowers off, leaving a pecu- liar naked stalk. As the plant matures the stalk becomes very hard and woody and often persists through the winter, long after the plant has flowered and gone to seed. The seeds are very dif- ficult to propagate and the plants are nearly impos- sible to transplant since they require the unique collabora- tion of all three species in a favorable forest environment. Pinedrops are found throughout the western mountain forests and in a few eastern locations, as well. The plant most closely related to the pine drop is the Sarcodes, which has the common name of snow plant or snow flower, which is so named because it frequently is seen emerg- ing from spring snows in the Do you understand your policy? Are you overpaying? Call Jason Ryb-a, 541-588-6245, for a free quote! HAIR Nails Natural & Artif icial 257 S. Pine St., #101 484 W. Washington Ave., Ste. B Auto • Home • Life • Business 541-549-6566 www.farmersagent.com/jrybka Pinedrops are unusual parasitic, flowering plants found in local forests. Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its range extends into the south- ern Cascades of Oregon, but is not known to exist as far north as the Sisters area. The snow plant is shorter and stockier in appear- ance and has a red- or magenta-colored flower. Its range definitely overlaps with that of the pinedrops, since pinedrops are found in forest environments from Canada to Mexico. Your correspondent has seen the two species in close proximity in the Sierras. Relax & Enjoy… photo by craig F. eiSenbeiS the snow flower is similar to pinedrops but is usually found farther south, in southern oregon — or as with this specimen, in the Sierras. Do you know your agent? photo by craig F. eiSenbeiS …Exceptional Cuisine at the Metolius River N ؏ Call 541-595-6420 for Reservations www.kokaneecafe.com Smile, Sisters! We’re committed to your dental health! Exceptional Health, Prevention & Aesthetics Ben Crockett, D.D.S. p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110 410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters, Oregon 97759 Hours: Mon., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tues.-Wed., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thurs., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 625 Arrowleaf Trail (Outlaw Station) 54.-7.9-.7.9 | Sun.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Over 6,000 sq. ft. of Consignment Furniture!