Bridle Trails, partly because of forest’s older age, hosts some rare and unusual plant species compared to forested areas nearby.
What makes them unique?
Several species in the park do not have leaves or produce chlorophyll and are either directly parasitic on other plants or on a mycorrhizal fungus associated with a green plant. Plants that have this relationship with green plants via an underground fungus are called mycoheterotrophs, signifying a relationship with fungus (myco) and the fact that they do not make their own food (heterotroph) as do green plants (autotrophs).
Merten’s Coralroot
The uncommon Merten’s coralroot is a lovely orchid that is associated with fungi in the genus Russula. We often see this species blooming on nature walks in May and June.
Vancouver Ground Cone
The rare Vancouver ground cone is an odd mycoheterotroph associated with salal, a common shrub in the park, either as a direct root parasite or via a fungus. The flower of this plant can be yellow or red and blooms in May and June. When it first comes up it looks like a conifer cone stuck in the soil, hence its name.
Indian Pipe
The single-flowered Indian pipe is a ghostly white mycoheterotroph that comes up in June and July.
Pink Wintergreen
Pink wintergreen is what is called a facultative myco-heterotroph. Some individuals produce green leaves, and others do not. The form without leaves has been found in the park, and you can sometimes find the green form at local native plant sales.
Photo credits: Jim Erckmann, K. Quinn.