Most species are putatively parasitic, relying entirely upon mycorrhizalfungi within their coral-shaped rhizomes for sustenance. Because of this dependence on myco-heterotrophy, they have never been successfully cultivated. Most species are leafless and rootless. Most species produce little or no chlorophyll, and do not utilize photosynthesis. An exception is the yellowish green species Corallorhiza trifida, which has some chlorophyll and is able to fix CO2. However, this species also depends primarily on fungal associations for carbon acquisition.[5][6]
List of species
Many species names have been proposed that are now considered synonyms of other species, or members of other genera. Species accepted as members of Corallorhiza as of As of January 2023[update]:[7]
Canada; northern and western United States; widespread across Europe and Asia including Russia, China, Korea, the Himalayas, Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom etc.