Status:
valid
Authors:
(L.) Barton
Source:
tro
Year:
1818
Citation Micro:
Comp. Fl. Philadelph. 2: 50 (1818)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001089208
Common Names
- Epifagus virginiana
- Virginiana Epifagus
- Virginiana Epifague
Description
Epifagus virginiana (also called Beechdrops, among many other common names) is a small parasitic plant with a single, erect, leafless stem. It is native to the eastern United States, from Maine to Florida and west to Texas, and is found growing on the roots of beech trees in moist, shady areas.
Uses & Benefits
Epifagus virginiana has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, coughs, and skin diseases. It can also be used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a cut flower.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Epifagus virginiana is small and white with a yellowish-green center. Its seeds are small and round, and its seedlings are thin and delicate.
Cultivation and Propagation
Epifagus virginiana is an epiphytic orchid native to North America. It can be grown in a pot or mounted on a slab. It prefers bright, indirect light and should be watered regularly. Propagation is done by division or by seed.
Where to Find Epifagus virginiana
Epifagus virginiana is native to the United States and Canada. It is found in moist montane forests at elevations of 1000-2000 m.
Species in the Epifagus genus
Species in the Orobanchaceae family
Aeginetia indica,
Aeginetia mirabilis,
Aeginetia mpomii,
Aeginetia selebica,
Aeginetia sessilis,
Aeginetia sinensis,
Aeginetia flava,
Aeginetia acaulis,
Agalinis angustifolia,
Agalinis aphylla,
Agalinis aspera,
Agalinis auriculata,
Agalinis bandeirensis,
Agalinis bangii,
Agalinis brachyphylla,
Agalinis calycina,
Agalinis chaparensis,
Agalinis communis,
Agalinis decemloba,
Agalinis densiflora,
Agalinis digitalis,
Agalinis divaricata,
Agalinis edwardsiana,
Agalinis fasciculata,
Agalinis fiebrigii,
Agalinis filicaulis,
Agalinis filifolia,
Agalinis gattingeri,
Agalinis genistifolia,
Agalinis gypsophila,
Agalinis heterophylla,
Agalinis homalantha,
Agalinis humilis,
Agalinis itambensis,
Agalinis kingsii,
Agalinis lanceolata,
Agalinis laxa,
Agalinis linarioides,
Agalinis linifolia,
Agalinis maritima,
Agalinis megalantha,
Agalinis meyeniana,
Agalinis nana,
Agalinis navasotensis,
Agalinis neoscotica,
Agalinis obtusifolia,
Agalinis oligophylla,
Agalinis peduncularis,
Agalinis pennellii,
Agalinis plukenetii,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30271155-2: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].