Helvella Elastica, Flexible Lorchel

Day 258: I am grateful to my botany partner Joe for finding and GPSing these specimens of Helvella elastica (known commonly as the Flexible Lorchel), a fungus we suspect might be allied with certain mycoheterotrophic plants. When we first observed it in 2017 in another location, I was unable to identify it from my photos. With a mind to the importance of certain features, I was able to key it out after a visit to Joe's coordinates. That said, I have been unable to find any references linking mycoheterotrophic species specifically to the Helvellas, but in fact, very little research has been done in that regard with respect to any plants outside the better-known Orchidaceae. Oh, if only I was fifty years younger and had a team of observers under my direction! A lot can be theorized from field observations of species associations, links which can be used to refine searches for rare mycoheterotrophs. Lab work is great for confirming connections, but first the plants and their associates have to be found. That funny-looking fungus at your feet may contribute to the germination process of a rarity, or to its survival. The more I see, the more convinced I am that fungus makes the world go 'round.

Three-Quarter Mile Trifida

Day 222: Although it's not as rare as some of the other species Team Biota has found in Mount Rainier National Park, Corallorhiza trifida is nevertheless more rare than "uncommon." It is a member of the Orchidaceae, but is significantly smaller than its well-known cousins, C. mertensiana and C. maculata. Mature stems seldom reach more than 6-8" in height. To date, we have found it in three locations closely linked by soil type. That said, plants have only emerged at one of the sites this year: a total of 11 stems, 10 of which are likely to be sharing the same mycorrhizal structure. Six are in the tight cluster shown here. Why the other sites have not been productive this year is a mystery. One of them should also have held a healthy population of Calypso Orchids, but only a few were seen. Another rare Corallorhiza is reputed to occur in the Park, although the only existing herbarium specimen proved to be misidentified. That species (Corallorhiza striata) is on my Plant Bucket List for sure. If it really does occur in the Park, I will find it some day, and I won't need to post it. You'll hear me yell, "I've got striata!"

Not Asparagus

Day 210: Other than my usual meanderings-around, today was my first real field day (albeit rather damp) looking for rare plants this year. Erupting three weeks later than they did in 2017 due to late-lying snow, nine Corallorhiza trifida stems made their appearance at the location I call "Three-Quarter Mile." None were seen in either of the remaining two customary pocket ecologies, but eight of these were in the "asparagus" stage of early development. The solitary blooming specimen was shorter than average at approximately 4". Warmer temperatures are projected for the weekend, so the buds should be fully open in about 10 days.