Corallorhiza maculata var. mexicana was first described by Lindley (1840) as a seperate species, Corallorhiza mexicana. Kuntze (1891) subsequently proposed a transfer, Neottia mexicana, which was neglected as Freudenstein (1997) proposed this new combination as a variety of C. maculata. The distribution lies mainly in Mexico and in Guatemala (POWO 2021). Freudenstein (1997) notes that this variety is distinguished by the long mentum and the pattern of spotting in the labellum, in which the spots occur along the margin and in the very center near the lamellae. Some populations of C. maculata from New Mexico and Colorada intergrade in these features but mexican plants are surprisingly uniform.
Taxonomic name: