Leafless nadborodnik

Family: Orchidaceae. The leafless nadborodnik grows in shady coniferous and mixed forests within the forest zone in the European and Asian parts of the USSR, occurring very rarely and as single specimens. Outside the USSR - in Western Europe, Asia Minor, Japan, China.

A chlorophyll-free plant (saprophyte), with a coral-like jointed, branched rhizome and fragile hollow pale-yellow stems with red stripes, up to 32 cm in height. Leaves are reduced to membranous yellowish scales. The raceme is initially nodding, later erect, loose, consisting of 2–8 flowers. Bracts linear-lanceolate, obtuse, reflexed, up to 1 cm long. Flowers nodding, fragrant. Tepals light yellowish, sometimes with purple-red stripes, up to 1.5 cm long. The lip is directed upward, whitish, with 4–6 rows of purple warts, slightly longer than the other tepals. Spur light violet, up to 8 mm long, with a clavate stalk. Flowers bloom in July–August.

A very unusual orchid both in appearance and in lifestyle. It lacks chlorophyll and therefore completely depends on nutrients that it extracts from the soil with the help of fungi. The mycelium penetrates the cells of the coral-like branched rhizome, which is completely rootless. Plant reproduction occurs vegetatively, by expansion of the rhizome. In nature one can often find groups of such plants that appear independent but are actually connected underground. The life cycles and seed reproduction of nadborodniks are still very poorly studied. Sometimes these plants show no signs of life for years. Moreover, they often even flower underground!

Seed reproduction is weak; it reproduces mainly by forming rather long (up to 10 cm) thin stolons with a growing bud at the end. The flowers have a banana scent, which attracts insects. The morphology of the flower prevents self-pollination. Few fruits are formed.