This is a widespread parasite of red oaks (Quercus sect. Lobatae) in eastern North America, but absent west of the Mississppi Rv. Conopholis is a North American genus traditionally considered close to Orobanche, recent research indicates more affinity with Pedicularis (citations of W). The plant is known to be a favored food of black bears, potentially second to acorns in terms of caloric intake within the Great Smoky Mts. (Seibert & Pelton 1994, Inman & Pelton 2002).