Skip to main content

Ghost Plant aka. Indian Pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Photo by alfrediguana
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Week0
report

39.4126, -76.4636

Field Notes

Description:

Unlike most plants, it is white and does not contain chlorophyll. Instead of generating energy from sunlight, it is parasitic, more specifically a myco-heterotroph. Its hosts are certain fungi that are mycorrhizal with trees, meaning it ultimately gets its energy from photosynthetic trees. Since it is not dependent on sunlight to grow, it can grow in very dark environments as in the understory of dense forest.The white is almost sparkling when the light hits it.

Habitat:

Deep in a forest, along a hiking trail. A small creek was nearby.

Notes:

Located in Gunpowder Falls State Park, Baltimore County, MD.

Species ID Suggestions

Ghost Plant or Indian Pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Comments (4)

You're welcome! The Indian Pipe is one of my favorites, and I envy you for spotting the white one since I spotted only the pinkish ones.
Thanks! I think they are even more beautiful since they are considered rare. Now it makes sense why I couldn't find them on any mushroom ID sites.
Very beautiful! This is actually a herbaceous perennial plant, rather than a mushroom. :-)
Photographed
PublishedJune 19, 2013

Nearby Spottings

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon