Description
A parasitic plant associated with BC native Ericaceae such as Gaultheria shallon, Arbutus menziesii, and Arctostaphylos uva–ursi. I regret missing the bloom as looking at the pics on E-flora of BC, it is a beauty. I found good groupings in an open grove of Douglas fir along with Gaultheria shallon, Linnaea borealis and Chimaphila umbellata. No doubt it was its association with Gaultheria that made this thrive. Populations are now fractured due to habitat destruction. At one time they were plentiful enough where its fleshy roots were eaten raw by the Coastal First Nations. Aka by some taxonomists as Kopsiopsis hookeri.
One report stated that groundcone were found growing with domestic blueberry plants which belong to the Ericaceae family.
Plenty of good information can be found with this link: http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Boschniakia%20hookeri
- Seed Count: 12-15
- Collection Date: July 2021
- Hardiness Zone: 7-9
- Height and Width: 15cm x 15cm
- Germination test type: hand sort
- Family: Orobanchaceae
How to germinate Boschniakia/Kopsiosis hookeri seed:
Seed needs to be in direct root contact with established host plants (in containers or in-field) for successful germination. An academic paper says ” the host root makes contact with the parasite seed, penetrates its testa, and association between host root and parasite embryo tissues is then established inside the testa”. Simply sowing the seed without the host plant will be unsuccessful.
