Commonly known as cancerroot, this plant is a native holoparasitic plant found across the United States and southern Canada, including Pennsylvania. It grows 2–6 inches tall and occurs in deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests, typically in shaded, moist, leaf‑littered areas. This species is unique in having no leaves and no chlorophyll; as a holoparasite, it does not photosynthesize but instead obtains nutrients by tapping the roots of nearby host plants such as goldenrods, sunflowers and saxifrages. The genus name Aphyllon means “without leaves,” and the species name uniflorum refers to its single flower, which appears at the top of each stem.

The flowers of this species emerge above ground for reproduction, while the rest of the plant remains below the surface attached to the roots of its host plants. The flowers are tubular and five‑lobed, ranging in color from purple to whitish, bluish, or pale lavender. They measure about ½–1 inch long. Blossoms appear from May to early June. After pollination, usually by bumblebees, the flowers develop into oval seed capsules containing many tiny seeds. When the capsules dry and split open, the seeds are dispersed by wind, gravity, or small animals. Germination only occurs when the seeds detect chemical signals from nearby host roots.

Cancerroot has a history of traditional medicinal use, including treatments for colds, coughs, tuberculosis, cancer, and gonorrhea. In some traditions, the roots were applied externally to soothe skin sores. Ecologically, this holoparasitic species contributes to forest biodiversity by interacting with a variety of host plants and providing nectar for bumblebees. Its presence often reflects a healthy, diverse understory community.