A root parasite from the Heath family (Ericaceae), pinedrops are tall and usually solitary. Since they don't have chlorophyll and, therefore don't need sunshine, but do need access to tree roots, they are typically spotted in deep shady forests. Nevertheless, we have one that blooms every year on the sunny side of our house with no trees within a fair distance. Is it parasitic on the lupine roots, which grow in abundance nearby, or a root from a distant tree that comes near the surface at that location? We don't know.

You will sometimes see Pinedrops referred to as saprophytes rather than root parasites (and you'll see the terms used interchangeably), perhaps because the Heath family has plants of both sorts. However, these are not the same thing. A saprophyte lives by breaking down complex organic matter and releasing energy for its own use and nutrients for the use of other plants around it. A root parasite taps into a living plant and depends on the photosynthetic action of the host plant to send energy down to the roots to feed the parasite. Pinedrops are thus root parasites, not saprophytes.

The petals are fused and urn-shaped, leaves scale-like and the stems is usually quite sticky, at least early in the season.