#plant biology

Don’t draw Pokémon anatomy while hungry. It gets weird, fast. 

Aquilegia canadensis - Red Lantern Columbine

[Cloudy]

Corallorhiza mertensiana - Coral Root Orchid

This species of orchid, native to the rain forests of BC, lacks chlorophyll. Unlike other plants it is a mycotroph, meaning it gets its energy (carbon source) and nutrients from a parasitic relationship with fungi. This adaptation is perfect for growing on the shady forest floor. It requires no sunlight to grow, lacks traditional leaves, and appears above ground only when it flowers. 

Saxifraga cespitosa - Tufted Saxifrage

Big fan of the name. 

Bryophyta of British Columbia, Monty Davidson. 

Gaultheria shallon - [Albino] Salal

Although partial or full albinism is rare in plants, it does happen. Unlike albinism in humans, where melanin is being produced in small quantities or not at all, the condition results from a plant’s inability to produce chlorophyl. Because chlorophyl is necessary for plants to photosynthesize, most albino plants do not survive more than a couple of weeks unless they are budding from a parent plant, or have either a symbiotic or parasitic relationship with a fungus. 

Peltigera aphtosa - Green Dog Lichen, Leafy Lichen, Felt Lichen, and Common Freckle Pelt.

Monotropa hypopitys - Pinesap

Monotropa hypopitys - Dutchman’s Pipe, Pinesap

More mycotrophs.