Monotropa uniflora

Indian Pipe

Flora, fauna, earth, and sky...
The natural history of the northwoods

Name:

• Monotropa, from the Latin, "once-turned'', reference to the flowers, which face the ground early in life, and turn straight upward once they begin producing seeds.
• uniflora, from the Latin, "single flower''
• Common Name, from
• Other common names include Corpse Plant, Ghost Flower, Ghost Pipe, Ice Plant, Bird's Nest, American Iceplant, Fairy Smoke

Taxonomy:

• Kingdom Plantae, the Plants
  • Division Magnoliophyta, the Angiosperms (flowering plants)
    • Class Magnoliopsida, the Dicotyledons
    • Subclass Dilleniidae
      • Order Ericales, the Heaths
        • Family Monotropaceae, the Indianpipe
          • Genus Monotropa, Indianpipe
• Taxonomic Serial Number: 23778
• Also known as Monotropa brittonii

Description:

• A waxy white saprophyte of deep forest shade.

Identification:

• Unmistakable

Distribution:

• Northern North America, south in mountains.

Habitat:

• Shade

Fire:

Associates:

History:

• Root has been traditionally used as a sedative and for various nervous conditions. It was also used externally for inflamed eyes and bunions and warts.

Uses:

• Safety undetermined; possibly toxic as it contains several glycosides.

Reproduction:

• Sexually by seed

Propagation:

• Extremely difficult

Cultivation:

• Hardy to USDA Zone 3 (average minimum annual temperature -40ºF)
• Not generally cultivated.

Links:

• Ghosts of Summer's Woods, a chapter from Hedgemaids and Fairy Candles: The Lives and Lore of North American Wildflowers

Comments: