mystery plant

Comment

Comment by Brandy on April 9, 2012 at 7:38pm

I have been looking in parks (where i sometimes find oysters) and open fields, unused lots. Fingers crossed...

Comment by William Wilson on April 9, 2012 at 1:00pm

I haven't done enough walking in the woods here, but Highlander does have a lot of relatively mature forest on the grounds.  I went to look for Morels the other day but only spent about 15 minutes looking.  

Where are you looking in town?  

Comment by Brandy on April 9, 2012 at 12:03pm

Its sometimes called indian pipe also, methinks. I think its indicative of good underground mycelial structures for it to feed on/with. Is mushroom hunting good in new market? Im having no luck in town... :(.

Comment by William Wilson on April 9, 2012 at 11:57am

I posted this picture over on Facebook too and got some answers - apparently it's a mycotrophic wildflower, Conopholis Americana, aka bearcorn, squirrel corn, or squaw root.  Might be edible or have medicinal properties, haven't dug that deep into it yet.  A friend found it in the woods at Highlander in New Market.  

Comment by Tracie L. Hellwinckel on April 9, 2012 at 11:34am

It's a fungus? I can come over with my mushroom books. 

I am doing the same kind of thing in our woods right now trying to identify all the stuff.  What a fun time of year.

Comment by William Wilson on April 9, 2012 at 10:37am

Any nature geeks who can help me id the mushroom looking plant in this picture? :)