Indian-pipe (Monotropa uniflora, Sp. pl. 1:387. 1753)

Family: Ericaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:387. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Monotropa

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. Pakistan to Russian Far East and Japan, Canada to Mexico

Description

The Indian-pipe, scientifically known as Monotropa uniflora, is a captivating and unique plant. It stands out in the plant kingdom due to its ghostly, white appearance, which gives it an almost spectral look. This peculiar plant doesn’t rely on chlorophyll like most other plants. Instead, it forms a mycoheterotrophic relationship, deriving nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi associated with tree roots. This fascinating adaptation allows it to thrive in the deep, shaded forest understories where little light penetrates.

Monotropa uniflora can be found across a wide geographical range extending from Northern Pakistan to the Russian Far East and Japan, and from Canada to Mexico in North America. Despite its widespread distribution, it remains a rare sight for many due to its specific habitat requirements and ephemeral nature.

Belonging to the Ericaceae family, Indian-pipe’s relationship within the plant world is quite complex and showcases an extraordinary form of plant evolution. The plant consists of a single, waxy stem that typically grows to a height of 10-30 cm, and is adorned with small, scale-like leaves. At the end of the stem, it bears a single, nodding, bell-shaped flower, which eventually turns black as the plant matures.

First described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, the Indian-pipe was included in his seminal work Species Plantarum. The historical context of its discovery and the subsequent scientific interest it garnered adds to the plant’s charm and biological intrigue.

The Indian-pipe is an excellent example of nature’s hidden wonders, thriving in environmental niches where few others can survive. It reminds us of the diversity and complexity of plant life on Earth, capturing the imagination of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Eng: ghost plant, indian pipe, indian-pipe, indianpipe, ghost pipes, convulsion root, ghost pipe, ghostflower, one-flowered indian pipe
Fra: monotrope uniflore, corpse plant, monotrope à une fleur
En: Indian-pipe, Indianpipe, Ghost Plant, Indian pipe, One-Flower Indian-Pipe, Ghost Pipes, Convulsion root, Ghost pipe, Ghostflower, One-flowered Indian pipe
Ar: غليون هندي
Zh: 單花錫杖花, 臺灣錫杖花
Fr: Monotrope uniflore, Corpse plant, Monotrope à une fleur
He: מונוטרופה אוניפלורה
Ja: Ginryoosō-modoki, Akino-ginryoosō
Ko: 수정난풀
Ru: Подъельник одноцветковый
Zh-tw: 單花錫杖花

Synonyms

• Monotropa uniflora f. rosea (Fosberg)
• Hypopitys uniflora ((L.) Crantz)
• Monotropa morisoniana (Michx.)
• Monotropa uniflora var. typica (Domin)
• Monotropa morisonii (Pers.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Assam (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Korea (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Jessica Sivret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2021 by Tristan Demone (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Matthew Doddridge (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Mary Post (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Shad (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 17, 2022 by d o (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Corinne Chouinard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by paige michael (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Tasha Tchek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2021 by paige michael (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 27, 2022 by Kimberly French (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2021 by Adeline Mantyk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2020 by R Peterson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2021 by John Mihalko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2019 by nate nate (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Frédérick Marois-Lefebvre (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 28, 2020 by Marilyn Ruth Craig (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2019 by Scarlett & Ashley Sloman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2015 by EOL − Evan Raskin (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Martin Pelz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Ronica Brownson (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 17, 2015 by EOL − jacob_miller (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 25, 2016 by EOL − pnorton (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 24, 2019 by thomas dumont (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by Janice Boizard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2019 by Michał Olszewski (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2888353)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:281016-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Monotropa uniflora L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth