In the dark forests of Mount Rainier, you may come across strange red and white plants that are growing without any green leaves. Candystick (Allotropa virgata) is a type of plant called a mycoheterotroph. It does not have any chlorophyll, which is what makes plants green. Most plants use chlorophyll to convert the energy of the sun into food in a process called photosynthesis. To get energy without having chlorophyll, mycoheterotrophic plants are parasites on fungi in the soil. The fungi in turn get energy from nearby conifer trees. This complicated relationship between plants like candystick, fungi, and trees is not fully understood. However, it allows candystick to thrive in the low light conditions of Mount Rainier’s old growth forests.
What other unusual wildflowers are you finding in the park?
Remember, as snow begins to melt, please stay on trails to avoid trampling wildflowers just starting to grow!
For updates on what’s blooming where visit https://go.nps.gov/RainierWildflower
Unfamiliar with Mount Rainier’s wildflower species? Check out the wildflower guide at https://go.nps.gov/RainierWildflowerGuide
NPS Photo of a candystick along Silver Falls Trail, 6/24/26.
