About Obolaria virginica L.
Obolaria is a genus of flowering plants in the gentian family, Gentianaceae. This genus is monotypic, meaning it contains only one species: Obolaria virginica, which is commonly called Virginia pennywort. This species is native to the eastern United States, and it grows in nutrient-rich forests there. Virginia pennywort is believed to be mycoheterotrophic: it obtains most of its nutrients through a symbiotic relationship with fungi, rather than through its small purplish-green leaves. It is a perennial plant that produces white flowers during the spring. It is often hard to find, due to its small size and its tendency to grow buried under leaf litter.