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Autumn Coralroot

Corallorhiza odontorhiza

Last reviewed: August 2026

Autumn Coralroot (Corallorhiza odontorhiza)
Photo: Nate Martineau / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Toxicity unknown

Autumn Coralroot (Corallorhiza odontorhiza) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 33 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Autumn coralroot is a small, unusual orchid that lacks green leaves and obtains nutrients through a relationship with soil fungi. This native wildflower produces small brownish-purple flowers on slender stems from summer through early fall.

In an HOA neighborhood

Autumn Coralroot takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Appears as bare leafless brown stems that look dead or weedy
  • May disappear entirely for years at a time
  • Extremely uncommon appearance unfamiliar to most people

Wildlife value

As an orchid, it provides nectar for small insects and contributes to forest ecosystem diversity, though it is not a major pollinator plant.

Common questions

How much sun does Autumn Coralroot need?
Autumn Coralroot grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Autumn Coralroot bloom?
Autumn Coralroot blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Autumn Coralroot native?
Autumn Coralroot (Corallorhiza odontorhiza) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 33 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Autumn Coralroot HOA-friendly?
Autumn Coralroot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Autumn Coralroot? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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