Scale root

On the roots of this poplar grows the purple scale root, also known as beautiful scale root. Did you know that the scale root is a carnivorous plant and parasite. The plant is listed on the Flemish red list of plants as rare. Belgium forms the traditional northern border of its range.

The whitish rhizomes are covered by thick fleshy scale-like leaves, in which there are irregular pits. In these pits there are hard hairs, which when touched by an insect act like a trap. Then these insects are killed and digested. The leaves sit just below the ground and form water droplets, softening the soil around the leaf. In April - May, a 20 cm long inflorescence of small white or pink flowers (Lathraea squamaria) or a short inflorescence of large purple-violet flowers at the level of the ground surface (Lathraea clandestina) emerges. After fruiting, the above-ground part of the plant disappears until the next spring.

Pascal Brackman