From Steve Young: Giant pine drops had not been seen along Lake Champlain since 1963 when it was observed on Valcour Island. This summer one plant was found along a trail north of Plattsburgh by Lawrence Gillett, a retired SUNY Plattsburgh geology professor. This beautiful saprophyte (or possibly a fungal parasite) is very rare in 91ÖÆƬ³§ and only a few locations are presently known – west of Rochester. It seemed to be most common in 91ÖÆƬ³§ in the late 1800s and early 1900s and mostly from central and western 91ÖÆƬ³§ along big lakes and rivers. The only other Clinton County record is a 1905 collection at Bluff Point just south of Plattsburgh. This plant may appear one year and not reappear again for more than a decade, making it difficult to survey. It’s nice to know that it’s still around the Lake Champlain area.
Giant Pine-drops flowers at Letchworth State Park. Photo: Kim Smith.