Pocket BotanistPlant guide
American cancer-root.
Conopholis americana
Pronounced ko-NO-fo-lis a-mer-i-KAH-na
Also known as American cancer-root, squaw-root, squawroot, American Cancerroot
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This is a fascinating parasitic plant that lacks chlorophyll and relies entirely on its host trees. It typically attaches to the roots of oak trees in forested areas. You will mostly see it when it pushes its cone shaped flower stalks through the leaf litter in spring.
At a glance
- Care level
- Difficult
- Plant type
- Parasitic perennial
- Light
- Shade
- Indoor light
- Low light
- Water
- Every 0 days
- Mature size
- 8 inches
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Hardiness
- USDA 4 to 8
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
Care
This plant is not suitable for home cultivation as it requires a specific parasitic relationship with living oak roots. It cannot survive in a pot or garden setting without its host tree. If you find one in the wild, just enjoy observing it in its natural habitat.
- Watering
- This plant relies on the moisture levels of its host tree environment.
- Feeding
- Do not fertilize as it draws all nutrients from its host.
- Pruning
- Pruning is not necessary for this wild plant.
- Repotting
- This plant cannot be repotted because it is permanently attached to host roots.
- Soil
- Rich forest leaf litter
- Soil pH
- Acidic
- Temperature
- -20 to 30°C
- Humidity
- 40 to 70%
Safety
- People
- The plant is not documented as toxic, but it is not edible.
- Children
- Keep children away as it is a parasitic plant that is not safe for consumption.
- Contact allergens
- There are no known contact irritants associated with this species.
- Airborne allergens
- Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Edibility
- This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided.
How to identify it
- Cone shaped fleshy stems
- Lacks green leaves or chlorophyll
- Creamy yellow to tan color
- Grows in dense clusters
- Emerges from forest floor
- Height
- 0.1 to 0.25m
- Spread
- 0.05 to 0.15m
- Leaves
- deciduous
- Flowers
- cream, yellow, brown, 1 to 2cm
- Fruit
- brown, Summer
Problems to watch for
- Host decline · The plant will die if the host oak tree is removed or dies.
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Growing it
- Propagation
- seed
- When to plant
- spring
Always leave this plant in its natural habitat near its host tree rather than attempting to transplant it.
Grows well with
Similar species
- Beechdrops · It is another parasitic plant that looks similar but hosts on beech trees.
Science
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Genus
- Conopholis
- Order
- Lamiales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Native range
- Eastern North America
- Conservation
- It is not currently listed as endangered but depends on the health of its host oak trees.
It survives by tapping into the root systems of oak trees to extract water and nutrients.
- Value to wildlife
- nectar source
- Pollinators
- bees
- Uses
- botanical interest, educational specimen
Through the year
Ecological indicators
- Salinity
- 1/9
- Soil reaction
- 5/9
- Light
- 2/9
- Temperature
- 5/9
- Moisture
- 5/9
- Nutrients
- 4/9
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Questions people ask
- Can I grow this in my garden?
- It is extremely difficult to cultivate because it requires a specific host oak tree and precise soil conditions.
- Does it harm the oak tree?
- It is a parasite, but it rarely causes significant damage to a healthy, mature oak tree.
Where the name comes from
The name Conopholis comes from the Greek words for cone and scale, describing its appearance, while americana denotes its native range.
Good to know
- It is commonly called squawroot because it was historically used by indigenous peoples.
- The plant looks like a pinecone emerging from the forest floor.
- It has no leaves and does not perform photosynthesis.
- It is exclusively found growing near the roots of oak trees.
Also in
Keep your american cancer-root growing
This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.
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This guide was generated with AI on and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.