# Allotropa

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This article is about the plant genus. For the insect genus, see [Allotropa (wasp)](/source/Allotropa_(wasp)).

***Allotropa virgata*** is in the family [Ericaceae](/source/Ericaceae) and is the only species of the genus ***Allotropa***. It is a [perennial plant](/source/Perennial_plant) that gets its common names from the distinct white and red or maroon stripes along its erect [peduncle](/source/Peduncle_(botany)). It is a non-green plant, as it lacks [chlorophyll](/source/Chlorophyll), instead obtaining nutrition from neighboring green plants through a [fungal](/source/Fungal) intermediate.

Its common names include **sugarstick**, **candystriped allotropa** and **barber's pole**.

## Range

*Allotropa virgata* was first collected by the [Wilkes Expedition](/source/Wilkes_Expedition) in the Cascade Mountains of Washington in the late 1800s.[1] It is found in the oak, coniferous and hardwood forests of the Pacific Northwest. It grows from 75 to 3000 meters in elevation in the [High Sierra Nevada](/source/Sierra_Nevada), [High Cascade Range](/source/Cascade_Range) and up through [British Columbia](/source/British_Columbia). There is also suitable habitat in [Idaho](/source/Idaho), [Nevada](/source/Nevada), and [Montana](/source/Montana).

## Ecology

*Allotropa virgata* feeds primarily on [Western matsutake mushroom](/source/Tricholoma_murrillianum) (*Tricholoma murrillianum*) [mycelium](/source/Mycelium),[2][3] and also possibly that of the related *[Tricholoma magnivelare](/source/Tricholoma_magnivelare)*.[4] *Allotropa virgata* was listed as a 'sensitive' species in 1998.[1] It is a clonal species that spreads through its extensive lateral root system.[citation needed] Because it spreads underground through buds on the lateral roots, it is able to survive ground fires if the host tree of its fungal hosts are not killed as well.

*Allotropa virgata* is pollinated by bumblebees, [sweat bees](/source/Augochlora), and some [Lepidoptera](/source/Lepidoptera) species.[1]

## Description

*Allotropa virgata* has an underground stem ([rhizome](/source/Rhizome)) with brittle roots. The scale-like leaves are along the striped peduncle with a [raceme](/source/Raceme)-like [inflorescence](/source/Inflorescence). The peduncle is persistent after the seeds have been dispersed and tends to turn brown. The [bracts](/source/Bract) of the inflorescence are less than 3 cm and the pedicels are not recurved. The stems stand 15–50 centimeters tall.[5] Standing dead stems, which darken to a reddish-brown with no white, from prior years' growth are often present.

The individual flowers generally do not have [sepals](/source/Sepal) but if they do, have 2 to 4. Often the petals of the flower are incorrectly considered sepals. The [corolla](/source/Corolla_(flower)) has 5 white petals in a cup shape, all petals are free and concave. From the corolla there are 10 protruding stamens, maroon in color, with [dehiscent](/source/Dehiscent) anthers. The superior ovary has 5 chambers with a style under 2 mm and a disk-like stigma. The short [nectary](/source/Nectary) is disk-like as well with 10 lobes.

The fruit of *A. virgata* is a capsule which [dehisces](/source/Dehisce) lengthwise through the ovary wall near the center of each of the 5 chambers. This dehiscence allows the many fusiform seeds from each chamber to be dispersed.

## Etymology

*Allotropa* is derived from [Greek](/source/Greek_language) and means 'different nourishment' (*allo*– 'different', 'other'; *tropus*– 'nourishment').[6]

## Further reading

- Hickman, J.C. 1993. The Jepson Manuel: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press: 545
- [www.calflora.org](https://web.archive.org/web/20181117025044/http://calflora.org/)
- [Berkeley University's CalPhotos](http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Allotropa+virgata)

## References

1. Lichthardt, Juanita (October 1995). ["CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR ALLOTROPA VIRGATA (CANDYSTICK), U.S. FOREST SERVICE, NORTHERN AND INTERMOUNTAIN REGIONS"](https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/idnhp/cdc_pdf/allvircs.pdf). *Idaho Fish and Game*. Retrieved 27 April 2022.

1. Moore, Andy. ["Allotropa Virgata"](https://matsiman.com/allotropa.htm). *Matsiman.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20011007215641/http://www.matsiman.com:80/allotropa.htm) 2001-10-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-09-26.

1. Trudell, Steve; Xu, Jianping; Saar, Irja; Justo, Alfredo; Cifuentes, Joaquin (2017-06-13). "North American matsutake: names clarified and a new species described". *Mycologia*. **109** (3): 379–390. [doi:10.1080/00275514.2017.1326780](https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2017.1326780). [PMID 28609221](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28609221)

1. Trudell, Steve & Ammirati, Joe (2009). [*Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest*](https://books.google.com/books?id=WevHvt6Tr8kC). Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 104–105. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.

1. ["*Allotropa virgata* in Flora of North America @ efloras.org"](http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220000470). *eFloras.org Home*. Retrieved 2025-09-17.

1. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN 9780521685535 (paperback). pp 43, 389

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Allotropa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allotropa) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allotropa?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.