Snow Plant

Snow Plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) on the Vetter Mountain Trail. This plant is native to Southern California and is considered a mycoparasite. They are parasites on fungi, but they don't kill the fungi. The roots of the Snow Plant contain fungi which extend into the conifer forest leaf litter in which Snow Plant grows. The Snow Plant is fed water and nutrients from the fungi. These fungi also extend into the roots of pines and other conifers.