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 USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.

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: June 2026

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

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range

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 USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
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 USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. 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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