How much sun does Pine-drops need?

Pine-drops grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Pine-drops bloom?

Pine-drops blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Pine-drops native?

Pine-drops (Pterospora andromedea) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Pine-drops HOA-friendly?

Pine-drops takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pine-drops

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pterospora andromedea

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Pine-drops (Pterospora andromedea) 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

12"–36" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 15 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 445 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

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Great Plains

Pine-drops is an unusual saprophytic wildflower that emerges from underground fungi networks, producing tall reddish-brown stalks covered with small bell-shaped flowers. This rare native plant grows in coniferous forests and cannot be cultivated like typical garden plants since it depends on specific soil fungi. The ghostly appearance and unpredictable emergence make it more of a forest curiosity than a landscaping plant.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Cannot be reliably cultivated or maintained
Extremely rare and unpredictable appearance
Looks like dead stalks rather than ornamental plants

Wildlife value

Limited wildlife value due to its rarity and specialized habitat requirements. May attract some small insects when blooming, but its primary ecological role is in forest fungal networks.

Common questions

How much sun does Pine-drops need?: Pine-drops grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Pine-drops bloom?: Pine-drops blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Pine-drops native?: Pine-drops (Pterospora andromedea) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Pine-drops HOA-friendly?: Pine-drops 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.

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

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