Hemitomes congestum

Gnome Plant

Gnome Plant
aka Cone-plant. This unuusal and quite rare saprophyte is seldom seen since most of the plant is hidden in the forest duff. The stem which resembles an inverted cone has scalelike leaves and is about 6″ (15 cm) long. The crowded pink flowers in a flattened spike is highly unique. Found in deep forests to about 4,000′ elevation.

Family:

Ericaceae - HEATH FAMILY

Genus:

Hemitomes from Greek hemi 'half' and tomias 'sterile'

Species:

congestum means 'crowded'
Photo location: Along the WLT between White River camp and the Summerland trailhead and along Huckleberry Creek trail.