Unusual Plant at Lake is Northern Groundcone (Boschniakia rossica)

Observation by Gillian Brubaker:

I was walking a trail on the north side of a Cheney Lake and I came across a plant I have not seen before. It was about ten feet from the lake in the forest. The plant is about 10” in height and is soft like rhubarb. I am wondering what kind of plant this is?

Gino Gratziano with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service writes:

This is northern groundcone, Boschniakia rossica. It is a native plant, parasitic on alders, and sometimes on other trees. It grows in moist sites so seeing it near Cheney lake is a likely habitat for this plant.