snow plant

noun

1. a leafless, parasitic plant, Sarcodes sanguinea, of the pine forests of the Sierra Nevada in California, having a stout spike of bright red flowers, a thickly scaled stem, and a corallike mass of roots.

snow plant

noun

1. a saprophytic plant, Sarcodes sanguinea, of mountain pine forests of W North America, having a fleshy scaly reddish stalk, no leaves, and pendulous scarlet flowers that are often produced before the snow melts: family Monotropaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of snow plant¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The snow-plant is a curiosity and attracts by its brilliancy of color.

From Project Gutenberg

The snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) is more admired by tourists than any other in California.

From Project Gutenberg

Most interesting of all is the snow-plant (sarcodes san-guinea Torrey).

From Project Gutenberg

Indian fire glowed red on the white expanse, blood on marble, and scarlet snow-plant sent up lurid spouts like flaming fountains.

From Project Gutenberg