Tag Archives: Gnome Plant

Our property in Anchor Bay has sandy soil. Matsutake mushrooms thrive in it and so do two very interesting and rare plants. The first is Gnome Plant, Hemitomes congestum. In years past, we have had a handful of them appear. This year we have a village of them! Gnome plants have no stem or leaf, and they produce no chlorophyll. They get their nutrients from decayed matter

Sugarstick, Allotropa virgata, is quite rare. Here are two emerging. On the far right are stalks of Sugarstick that bloomed two years ago. Amazing that after two winters worth of storms that the stalks are still standing. These plants also produce no cholrophyll. They get their nutrients from fungus.

The Gnome Plants and Sugarsticks are growing in the same area. And, yes, we find Matsutakes in the same area.

It will be fun to show you how these Sugarsticks evolve.

We are having a beautiful sun-splashed day today. Happy Mother's Day to all women who make an impact on children's lives.

We have found a family of Gnome Plants, more than fifteen of them, growing by a trail we use every day. There were three plants growing nearby on the side of the trail that we thought were gnome plants too. But they grew into something quite different - Sugarstick, Allotropa virgata. The first photo was taken on May 11th and the second on May 6th. You can see the bigger one is just beginning to bloom.

And here's a look at two of the Gnome Plants, Hemitomes congestum.

Both of these plants get nutrients from underground fungi, which are on the roots of nearby trees. A fun look at something unusual for you today!

Rick and I donated a brunch and wildflower walk as a raffle prize for the recent Ocean Film Festival and it was won by Richey Wasserman. On the wildflower walk two weeks ago, we were able to show him and his three guests a very rare plant, a Gnome Plant, Hemitomes congestum. Merita Whatley photographed it.

Gnome Plant at the Jacksons by Merita Whatley

These two are growing on a path we call the Huckleberry trail, named for the many huckleberry bushes alongside it. Gnome Plants are members of the Heath family. In Reny Parker's wildflower book, she writes, "The Gnome Plant is so secretive and illusive one is as likely to encounter a forest gnome as see one of these deep forest dwellers." I was particularly happy to be able to show the group this unusual and rare plant.

Thanks to Merita for allowing me to share her photo with you here.