Snow Plant

[bugbob]

Greetings,

I've long been after the opportunity to photograph Snow Plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) in SoCal. I saw it long ago in the Sierras but don't get up there often. If anyone sees it this spring (May-July), I would greatly appreciate a heads-up so I can, uh, head-up here to photograph it. I'm authoring a field guide to wildflowers of Orange County & Santa Ana Mountains and may someday do one for the San Gabriels.

Someone graciously posted 2 websites of the plant from the San Gabriel Mtns:

By Gary Valle:
http://www.sierraphotography.com/sangab_080691_04.htm

And several taken there by my friend Michael Charters:
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/snowplant.html

-BugBob
bugbob@mac.com
http://homepage.mac.com/bugbob/ocw/

[bugbob]

Reading my post, I don't think I made it clear that I would like to receive reports of it from the Wrightwood area (not the Sierras).

-BugBob

[Nolena]

I've seen it along the Blue Ridge trail in previous years.

[storm]

Sarcodes sanguinea, or Snowplant, is a red, fleshy, glandular-hairy saprophyte lacking chlorophyll with simple stems either solitary or in clusters growing to 20" tall from a thick, brittle root.  It obtains all of its fixed carbon from neighboring trees (usually Fir trees) through a shared ectomycorrhizal fungus.  They are strikingly beautiful in contrast to the tan, brown and green surroundings in our forests...

[RobertW]

I saw several near Jackson Lake this past Sunday.  I was surprized because of the lack of snow and water this year.

[Domingo]

If anyone is interested in photographing the bright red snow plant, you'll see quite a few of them in different stages of development along the blue ridge trail and I would imagine that Baden Powell has its share of them too.  They really stand out due to their color caused in part by their lack of photosynthesis and symbiosis with the  mycorrhizal fungi.  Quite a sight for sore eyes!

[Toolman]

They are all over the San Gabriel's, I've seen them over on the Wilson side to the west and our vicinity. If we see any on patrol today, I'll snap a picture.

[Tall Trees]

I have observed several snow plants recently on Big Pines Highway (County Road N4) on the south side of the highway from Arch Picnic Area down to Jackson Lake.  They are growing in small clusters and individually with a very nice cluster present near Wrighwood organizational camp across the street from Mescal Picnic Area.

[Joe Schmoe]

I agree with everyone else - there are quite a few of them out there this year.  We made a stop on the 2 hiked a little bit to catch the view and found them hiding on the opposite sides of some of the trees....as if hiding from the parking area .  We also found a couple that weren't hidden that had been tampered with by people...

[RobertW]

I used to incorrectly tell people that the Snow Plant was a fungus similar to a mushroom that feeds on decomposing wood underground.  I've learned that is incorrect.  Hummm, sounds like a topic for the newsletter.   

[ForestGal]

I haven't seen any yet this year, but I haven't been out there much yet.   I think the most snowplants I've ever seen at once, have been on the Mt. Waterman trail, but I haven't been out there yet this year either.  Sounds like I need to get back into hiking!   

Joe Schmoe, it makes me sad to think that people would tamper with such beautiful things, and not just enjoy them and leave them alone for the next person to enjoy.  But then, I don't understand why anyone could abandon a pet either......   

[Toolman]

I wouldn't mess with them for they are a fungus also known as Sarcodes sanguinea. They tap into the roots of a host, commonly a tree and thrive on the sugars of the tree. Much like mistletoe, is a hemi-parasite which is poisonous and also thrives off the sugars of it's host. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting and sever headache. Mistletoe seeds are usually spread by birds and can kill a tree in time. If we discover it in our trees we cut the branch off of the tree. It does no good to simply cut the mistletoe out, the branch has to go.

We see boy scouts out collecting mistletoe and we advise the scout masters about it and they had no idea and are not prepared with gloves and masks for the kids.

[tcaarabians]

Yup... we cut the branch that mistletoe is hanging onto as well. And, I just spotted a number of them
this morning that will be history. I have not seen that 'snow plant' around here. It is beautiful.
cheryl o7o

[The Boys Dad]

Just return from camping with the boys at Buckhorn Campground and was delighted to find many in the area.   Plenty of snowplant in bloom within 10-20 feet of the exit road.   Just walk it and there are hard to miss .  I would think in a few weeks they will be gone though. 

[Domingo]

If you hike the Blue Ridge or Mt. Baden Powell trail and look carefully, you'll see more and more snow plants popping up and gracing us with their extreme redness.  They are a sight to see and very photogenic!