''Hexalectris'' (crested coralroot) is a genus of the family Orchidaceae, comprising 10 known species of fully myco-heterotrophic orchids. These species are found in

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

, with the

center of diversity A center of origin is a geographical area where a group of organisms, either domesticated or wild, first developed its distinctive properties. They are also considered centers of diversity. Centers of origin were first identified in 1924 by Ni ...

in northern Mexico.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
/ref> None of the species are particularly common. ''Hexalectris spicata'' has a wide distribution and is likely the most abundant member of the genus, but is nevertheless infrequent throughout its range. Other species are rare, and some, such as ''H. colemanii'', are threatened or endangered. All species that have been studied form associations with ectomycorrhizal fungi that are likely linked to surrounding trees. Many ''Hexalectris'' species are found in association with oak trees (''Quercus''), which are ectomycorrhizal.

Species

Species accepted as of June 2014:

References

External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q3291967 Bletiinae Epidendreae genera Orchids of North America Myco-heterotrophic orchids Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque