This plant can be found in eastern portions of North America with some central regions also having instances of the plant. When you can identify it, leave a comment below with both the common and scientific names. If you have a personal story to share about this plant, please include that in your comment.
Plant in the fall season
Base of plant’s stalk with flowers on side shoots
Closer view of plant with flowers on stalks
Close view of flowers
Plant during winter season
ANSWER (subsequently added to this post to facilitate the “search” function for these images): Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana)
maybe beech drops
Epifagus virginiana
Epifagus americana Looks like Beech Drops to me…a parasitic plant.
Ooo, Beachdrops! I just learned this one this year, and now I’m finding it all over, particularly in the park closest to my home.
To me it appears like Orobanche (a total root parasite)
Although Beechdrops is in the genus Epifagus rather than Orobanche, you are correct that it is a root parasite. Both Epifagus and Orobanche are in the Orobanchaceae family.
This is definitely Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana). It’s found growing under American beech (Fagus grandifolia) trees — as a root parasite.
Thank you Angelyn for correct identification of Mystery Plant 068.
Have a nice day.