About This Plant
Conopholis americana, known as Bear Corn or Squawroot, is one of the most fascinating plants found in eastern North American woodlands. Entirely leafless and lacking chlorophyll, it lives as a root parasite on mature oak trees—drawing nutrients while causing little harm to its host. In spring, it emerges from the forest floor as a thick, pale-yellow stalk resembling an ear of corn, covered in overlapping scales and small tubular flowers.
Bear Corn typically appears in clusters near the base of large oaks, often in shaded, undisturbed forests with rich organic soil. It blooms in late spring and early summer, attracting flies and beetles that pollinate the inconspicuous flowers. After setting seed, the stalks turn brown and persist into autumn, providing a strange yet striking texture among fallen leaves.
Despite its unusual nature, Conopholis americana plays an intriguing ecological role in forest ecosystems. Its underground stems provide food for wildlife—especially black bears, which dig them up in spring. This hidden forest companion is a reminder of the complex interconnections that sustain healthy woodland habitats.