So yesterday, March 1st, 2026, I encountered an impressive plant on the E4 European long-distance path, on Mount Olympus, near Litochoro. Here is some information I have gathered online about it:
Lathraea squamaria, commonly known as Common Toothwort, is one of the most peculiar and “mysterious” plants of the European flora, including Greece.
It belongs to the Orobanchaceae family and its behavior classifies it as a parasitic plant.
1. Biological Characteristics
The most striking feature of Lathraea squamaria is that it lacks chlorophyll.
- Appearance: It has a characteristic pinkish, off-white, or slightly purple color. Since it does not photosynthesize, it has no green parts.
- Leaves: Its leaves have been reduced to small, fleshy scales (hence the name “squamaria” from the Latin squama = scale), which cover the underground stem.
- Flowers: They appear in spring (March – May) in upright inflorescences that droop slightly to one side.
2. Parasitic Lifestyle
The Toothwort is a holoparasite. This means it depends entirely on the host plant for its survival.
- Hosts: It parasitizes mainly the roots of deciduous trees, such as Hazel (Corylus), Alder (Alnus), and Beech (Fagus).
- Mechanism: It possesses specialized roots called haustoria, which penetrate the host’s roots to absorb water and nutrients (sugars).
- Underground Life: Most of its life cycle takes place underground. It emerges on the surface for only a few weeks a year, exclusively to bloom and reproduce.
3. Habitat
You can find it in:
- Shady, damp deciduous forests.
- Near ravines or riverbanks where its hosts thrive.
- Rich, humus-heavy soils.
4. Interesting Facts
- Longevity: The underground rhizome can live for several decades and spread extensively under the soil, sometimes weighing several kilograms.
- Etymology: The name Lathraea is derived from the Greek word “lathraios” (hidden/secret), precisely because the plant remains hidden underground for most of the year.
While there was an older theory that the cavities in the plant’s scales trapped insects (making it a carnivorous plant), we now know that these primarily serve to excrete excess water.
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