Conopholis americana (L.) Wallr.

American Squawroot; Cancer Root

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

American Squawroot is a native perennial, achlorophyllous, parasitic plant in the Broomrape family (Orobanchaceae). It occurs throughout most of Alabama, but seems to be lacking or rare in the western portions of the state. American Squawroot is parasitic on the roots of Oaks (Quercus). The main body of the plant is an underground woody rounded gall attached to the roots of the host plant. From this mass erect, stout, clumped flowering stems that are 2-8 inches in height emerge. The stems are covered in brown, over-lapping scale-like leaves and resemble pine cones or corn cobs. Flowers are produced in spikes. Each flower is subtended by a bract that is similar to but smaller than the leaf. The calyx is tubular, creamy-yellow in color, with 4-5 brown teeth. The corolla is tubular, downward curving, creamy yellowish in color, and 2-lipped. The upper lip is notched and the shorter lower lip is 3-parted. There are 4 anthers with white filaments and gray anthers. The fruit is an ovoid capsule with numerous small brown seed.—A. Diamond

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Native G5 (Global Rank)

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