Wildflowers of the United States

Indian Pipe, Ghost Flower, Ghost Plant - Monotropa uniflora

Genus Common Name: Indian Pipe

Native Status: Native

Monotropa uniflora - Indian Pipe, Ghost Flower, Ghost Plant. When first seen, Indian Pipe seems more like a mushroom or other fungus than like a true flowering plant due to the color - or lack of color. However, it has a stem, bract-like scales in place of leaves, and a single flower at the end of the stem. The single flower gives it the species epithet - uniflora - which is a key difference between this species and Monotropa hypopitys, the only other species in the Montropa genus. Monotropa hypopitys (Pinesap) has multiple flowers in a cluster on each stem. The Monotropa genus has recently been moved into Ericaceae - the Heath family.

Indian Pipe has roots through which it gathers its nourishment. The plant lacks chlorophyll but instead gleans its fix carbon from a mycorrhizal fungus in the soil where it grows. The fungus derives its own carbon from the roots of a host tree. Thus, while I would argue that it is a mutually beneficial relationship because nothing in a forest environment is ultimately wasted, Monotropa uniflora is considered to be an epiparasite - a parasite feeding on another parasite. (This paragraph was updated 2019-10-20 based on an email from a reader pointing out that Monotropa uniflora is a parasitic plant, one getting nourishment from fungi while providing no direct benefit to the host organism.)

Update 2017-08-15: My assertion that pollinated Monotropa uniflora plants turn pink and straighten to upright was challenged recently. Since the description on this page was written long ago (8 or 9 years), I do not have records of the references from which I drew that conclusion. I apologize for purveying this apparent misinformation. With current research, it's clear that this species can be pink without having been pollinated.

Found in:
AK, AL, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV

Leave comments on Monotropa uniflora at this link.

Distribution of Monotropa uniflora in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
Search Our Database: Enter any portion of the Scientific, Common Name, or both.

Do a general Google search of the entire site:

#ad

Follow USWildflowers on Twitter

Site: GSMNP - Little Greenbrier School Date: 2005-June-19	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
The flowers of Monotropa uniflora are usually white, but may occasionally be pink or even darker - salmon and red have been reported. They are initially nodding sharply downward; as they open they will lift slightly to a more diagonal position, as the one in the far right of this photo. This allows the flower to be more visible to potential pollinators. The leaves are the scale-like appendages on these plants.

Site: Big Frog Mountain, Polk County, TN Date: 2004-June-12	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
A colony of pink plants. Since the flower on this plant is upright, it is likely pollinated and developing fruit. The black flecks may indicate aging; the plant will turn deep brown or black as it dies, or when it is picked and dried.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Big Frog Mountain, Polk County, TN Date: 2004-June-12	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
As Indian Pipe matures, developing fruit, it straightens out until the blossom is held vertically.
Click on the photo for a larger image

References used for identification and information:

#ad

Monotropa uniflora initially published on USWildflowers.com 2008-12-31; Updated 2019-10-20

Commercial / Cookie Notice

Looking for Wildflowers for a specific state? Check here:

All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer

Code Update 20230302