Indian Pipe
Monotropa uniflora

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) Other common names: Corpse Plant, One-flowered Indian Pipe

French names: Monotrope uniflore

Family: Heath Family (Ericaceae), (Indian-pipe Family (Monotropaceae))

Distinctive features: Ghostly pale white plant; no chlorophyll; one flower per stem.

Similar species:
  •   Pinesap (Hypopitys monotropa) - Has multiple flowers at the top of each stem; cream-coloured.

  •   Squawroot (Conopholis americana) - Fat chunky stem; yellowish.


Flowers: Summer;  White;  5 parts (petals);  Pale white, waxy.

Leaves: None;  Pale white scales along stem.

Height: 10-20 cm (4-8 in)

Stem: Pale white, waxy appearance.

Habitat: Forests

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 172    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 20, 232    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 255   

Native/Non-native: Native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: uniflora: one-flowered


For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers

Photographs: 277 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

Indian Pipes are beautiful plants with ghost-white flowers.

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

It usually grows in the woods, but sometimes in mossy places.

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

When the plants come up from the ground and the flowers first open, they are pointed downwards.

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

As they mature they bend up more and more until they are pointed striaght up.

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

Inside of an Indian Pipe flower.

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

The seed heads of Indian Pipe often overwinter. These are in March.

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

Inside of a seed head that has been opened.


Range map for Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)

 

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