Obolaria virginica, commonly known as Virginia pennywort,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family. It is monotypic, with no other species in the genus Obolaria.
It is native to the eastern United States,[2] where it is found in nutrient-rich forests. It is believed to be mycoheterotrophic, getting much of its nutrients though a symbiotic relationship with fungi, instead of through its small purplish-green leaves.[3][4]
It is a perennial that produces white flowers in the spring. It is often difficult to locate due to its small stature, and tendency to be buried under leaf litter.[3][5]