Pityopus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae containing the single species Pityopus californicus, which is known by the common name pinefoot.[1]
The plant is native to the mountains of the West Coast of the United States below 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) in elevation, from Washington to the Bay Area in California.[1] It is uncommon throughout its range.
It grows in coniferous and mixed forest types. Habitats include mixed evergreen forest, yellow pine forest, red fir forest, and coastal coniferous forest.[2]
Pityopus californicus, a perennial herb, is a mycoheterotroph, parasitizing fungi for nutrients. It is cream or white in color, lacking chlorophyll.[1] It is the smallest mycotroph in the heath family.[3]
It produces a fleshy stemless peduncle above the leaf litter of the forest floor, reaching no more than 10 centimeters tall. It is covered with scale-like leaves, reduced as they do not perform photosynthesis.
The above ground portion of the plant is essentially just inflorescence, with 2 to 11 cylindrical white flowers blooming for a short time. The flower has four or five white petals and a hairy throat. The bloom period is May to July.[1]
It produces a berry under a centimeter wide containing many seeds. The mature plant has a scent reminiscent of Brie cheese, which may serve to attract pollinators.[4] After fruiting the plant withers away until the following flowering season.
Pityopus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae containing the single species Pityopus californicus, which is known by the common name pinefoot.
