Vancouver Groundcone (Boschniakia hookeri) is easily mistaken for a pinecone that has planted itself upright. However, this small parasitic plant contains no photosynthesizing ability and instead uses a host species; salal is the most common but kinnikinnick can also be a host. A single plant can produce more than 300,000 seeds (!!!) but seeds may not grow for 7-12 years after dispersing as they require an appropriate host plant that sends a chemical signal for the seed to germinate. So while this plant is considered parasitic, it is really the plant host who initiates its growth. This makes one wonder if there are benefits to the host plant that are simply unknown to us. Found only in coastal regions in lowland forests, the root bases are a traditional food of the Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuu-chah-nuulth First Nations. In the Central Coast area some of the First Nations believe the plant to be a good luck charm. Staff member Torrey certainly felt lucky when she spotted this while hiking in a covenanted portion of the Sooke Hills.
