Bletia colemanii (Catling) Sosa & M.W. Chase
Coleman's Coral Root
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Hexalectris colemanii, Hexalectris revoluta var. colemanii
Bletia colemanii, Coleman's Coral Root, is a rare species believed to be endemic to southern Arizona until populations were recently discovered along the border in southwestern New Mexico. This leafless orchid has rolled back sepals and lateral petals that closely resemble B. revoluta and was formerly considered a variety of this species, until DNA analysis demonstrated a separate species designation is warranted. B. colemanii grows in oak woodlands on the edge of canyon bottoms and on slopes leading up from the canyon.
Bletia colemanii is considered imperiled. Mining, livestock grazing, nonnative invasive plant species, wildfire, drought, and climate change have been identified as potential threats to this orchid. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reviewed its status and determined that listing B. colemanii as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act is not warranted at this time.
Ecosystem Type
Woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- this plant has no leaves
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is not pouch-like
- Main color of labellum:
-
- other
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
- the labellum is lobed
- Labellum length:
- Up to 15 mm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Imperiled |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |