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Monotropa uniflora Monotropa uniflora L. Monotropa brittonii Small Indian Pipe, Ghost Plant, Corpse Plant, Indianpipe
Indian pipes are natives of the temperate regions of Asia, South America, and North America. They are plants, members of the blueberry family, but unusual ones. Most plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into the energy they need to grow. Indian pipes lack chlorophyll—that’s why they’re white—and instead get their energy from parasitizing certain fungi. The fungi, in turn, derive their energy from trees. Indian pipes are able to grow on dark forest floors because they don’t need light. They even grow in the dark! (Remarkably, there are almost 3,000 species that similarly lack chlorophyll, and get their energy from other means. Since they don’t need to be green, they come in all kinds of colors.) Identification: The ghostly pale color of these fragile-looking plants, and the nodding tops, makes them quite unique. In addition to white, plants may also be pink or, rarely, red. Plants are 4-10" (10-25 cm) high. Flowers are white, bell-shaped, about ¾" (1.9 cm) long. They often occur in tight groups. Flowers nod downward during most of their lives, but point straight up when forming seeds—the genus, Monotropa, is named for this trait, meaning “once-turned.” Indian pipes appear in rich forests, and are a sign of good hunting grounds for mushrooms.
Rare red form, from a mixed forest near Ithaca, NY, 7/12/2007, by Dave Matthews. Online References:
Monotropa uniflora on Missouriplants.com Monotropa uniflora on Tom Volk's Fungi site, at the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin Monotropa uniflora at the U.S. Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers site Monotropa uniflora on Wikipedia Monotropa uniflora at the Botanical Society of America Monotropa uniflora on Michael Kuo's MushroomExpert.com Monotropa uniflora on CalPhotos Monotropa uniflora at Illinois Wildflowers
7/7/2012 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, MA
10/10/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
10/10/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
10/10/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
8/15/2015 · Moose Cave, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, ME
11/27/2009 · Falmouth, ME · By Constance B. Kent
After pollination, the normally nodding flowers point upward. · 8/24/2013 · Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail, Monadnock Conservancy, Peterborough, NH
10/7/2018 · Shepley Hill, Groton, MA
7/23/2017 · Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA Monotropa uniflora description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 12 Oct 2018.
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Plants are just emerging from the ground. · 6/28/2014 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, NH
Usually these are nodding, not upright. · 7/3/2012 · Pearl Hill State Park, Ashby, MA
Nashoba Conservation Land on Mt. Lebanon Rd · 7/16/2009 · Mt. Lebanon St, Pepperell, MA
8/14/2015 · Roost Trail, Grafton Notch State Park, Newry, Maine
After pollination, the normally nodding flowers point upward. · 7/14/2013 · Ball Hill Trail, Leominster State Forest, Leominster, MA
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
1/13/2010 · By Philip A. Despo
6/15/2007 · ME · By Kathleen Williamson
7/28/2009 · Pepperell, MA · By Philip A. Despo
8/12/2009 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, MA
10/7/2018 · Shepley Hill, Groton, MA Range:
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ID is uncertain 
