Pterospora andromedea

Pinedrops is the common name for the plant Pterospora andromedea of the family Ericaceae; it is the only species in the genus Pterospora. It grows in coniferous or mixed forests in heavy soil. It is native to North America from southern Canada to the mountains of Mexico and is most commonly found in the western half of the continent, though small populations are found in the northeast United States and eastern Canada. The visible portion of Pterospora andromedea is an unbranched flower spike (raceme) generally 30-100 centimeter in height, though it has been reported to occasionally attain a height of 2 meters. The above-ground stalks are usually found in small clusters between June and August. The stalks are hairy and feel somewhat sticky to the touch. They have scale-like structures that are described by some authorities as vestigial leaves or sterile leafs. The upper portion of the red stalk has a series of yellowish, bell-shaped flowers that face downward.