[Wikipedia] Range, Ecology, Etymology: Allotropa virgata is in the family Ericaceae and is the only species of the genus Allotropa. It is a perennial plant that gets its common names from the distinct white and red or maroon stripes along its erect peduncle. A. virgata are nongreen as they lack chlorophyll, instead obtaining nutrition from neighboring green plants through a fungal intermediate. Range Allotropa virgata was first collected by the Wilkes Expedition in the Cascade Mountains of Washington in the late 1800s.[1] It is found in the oak, coniferous and hardwood forests of the Pacific Northwest. It grows from 75 to 3000 meters in elevation in the High Sierra Nevada, High Cascade Range and up through British Columbia. Ecology Allotropa virgata feeds primarily on matsutake mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake) mycelium,[2] and also possibly that of the similar Tricholoma magnivelare.[3] Allotropa virgata was listed as a 'sensitive' species in 1998.[1] It is a clonal species that spreads through its extensive lateral root system, to lengths up to 4 feet and 2 feet deep. Because it spreads underground through buds on the lateral roots, it is able to survive ground fires if the host tree of its fungal hosts are not killed as well. Allotropa virgata is pollinated by bumblebees, sweat bees, and some Lepidoptera species.[1] Etymology Allotropa is derived from Greek and means 'different nourishment' (allo 'different', 'other'; tropus 'nourishment').[4] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)