Bear Corn along the trail just above the MacDougall Steps (June 2012)
Conopholis americana
Broomrape family (Orobanchaceae)
This is one of the stranger plants along the trail. This year, it seems to be particularly abundant .... reason unknown. We saw large patches of it while out working on the AT section between Howardsville Turnpike and Bear Spring.
I have always known this plant as Bear Corn or Squawroot, but it is also known as Cancer Root. Bears are said to eat it after they come out of hibernation, thus the name 'Bear Corn', while the name 'Squawroot' comes from its purported use as a medicine by Indians. The plant is parasitic and its suckers cause large rounded knobs on the host trees and for this reason, it is often called 'Cancer Root'.
The plant has no chlorophyll and is parasitic, needing oak trees as a host and depending on them for nourishment.
If you'd like considerably more detailed information, here is a great link with info on Conopholis americana:
Note: (Illinois Wildflower link - couldn't find anything from VA with such good info)
A large patch of Bear Corn north of Rattlesnake Corner (Sec. 6)
Closer view of Bear Corn (Section 6)
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