population occurs in a stand which was thinned. Allotropa 

 virqata due to its underground perennating buds withstands ground 

 fires which do not affect the overstory (Lichthardt and Mancuso 

 1991) . 



A large, live specimen of Allotropa virqata is an eye-catching 

 plant. Undoubtedly one of the showiest members of the Ericaceae 

 (Heath Family) , the common name for this plant, candystick or 

 sugarstick, gives an instant picture. When alive the stem is red 

 (sometimes pink to reddish-brown) and white (to off-white) 

 striped like a candy cane. The species is achlorophyllous 

 (lacking in chlorophyll) so there is not a hint of green in any 

 part of the plant. Even though A. virqata is quite distinctive, 

 there are at least two other species and one genus which can be 

 confused with A. virqata . at least from a distance. Allotropa 

 virqata is 2-18 inches tall, with small upward-pointed leaves 

 held close to the stem, running from the base to under each 

 flower. The flowers lack petals, are composed of five sepals, 

 and stick straight out from the stem. Two other achlorophyllous 

 members of the Ericaceae, pinesap ( Hypopitys monotropa ) and 

 pinedrops ( Pterospora andromedea ) are frequently found in the 

 same habitat as A. virqata . Hypopitys monotropa is usually 

 yellowish overall, but can sometimes have a pinkish or brownish 

 cast particularly late in the season. The flowers of H. 

 monotropa are four-parted and have petals. The entire 

 inflorescence is bent over during flowering but becomes erect 

 during fruit development. Pterospora andromedea is often much 

 taller (up to 40 inches) and has a deep reddish-brown, glossy, 

 fuzzy appearance due to a covering of sticky, glandular hairs. 

 The five-lobed corolla is pendulous from a short, slender stem. 

 One other group of plants which from a distance resemble A. 

 virqata is the genus Corallorhiza . These orchids are immediately 

 identifiable on closer inspection, but the purplish to reddish- 

 brown color of the entire plant often lures an investigator 

 closer. 



Allotropa virqata begins surfacing as early as June, and 

 continues into September. Plants may bear both new and old 

 stems, or be composed entirely of either new or old stems. July 

 and August are the peak flov/ering months, although plants may not 

 flower (i.e. surface) every year (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991). 

 Theoretically this would allow the plant to partition resources 

 to flowering and seed production one year and underground 

 perennating buds the next (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991) . The 

 main pollinators are bumblebees ( Psithyrus insularis and Bombus 

 mixtus) (Roe 1992) . After fruit set, the plant eventually fades 

 to an overall dark reddish-brown. Old stems may last over one or 

 two (or perhaps more) winters, and appear dark reddish-brown to 

 black and crumbly in comparison to the latest season's crop. The 

 seeds are minute (perhaps less than 20 cells), numerous, and 

 wind-dispersed. Due to their small size, they lack nutrient 

 reserves, and probably must establish their mycorrhizal 



