John Miller
Ghost pipes, also known as Indian pipes, are a unique type of plant that has a fascinating relationship with fungi. They are often mistaken for mushrooms due to their mushroom-like appearance and their habit of parasitically feeding off host fungi. This parasitic relationship is what gives ghost pipes their distinct colour, which can range from white to pink or, in rare cases, red. This colour variation is a result of their inability to perform photosynthesis, leading them to parasitise fungi for sustenance. Ghost pipes are native to temperate regions of Asia, North America, and northern South America, and their occurrence can be quite rare, especially in certain areas like the Rocky Mountains and the southwest of the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Monotropa uniflora |
| Common Names | Ghost Pipe, Indian Pipe, Ghost Plant, Indianpipe |
| Description | White, waxy, small scale-like leaves, and five-parted flowers; some specimens have been described as having black flecks or pale pink coloration; rare variants may be red |
| Height | 5-30 cm (2-12 inches) |
| Family | Monotropaceae (formerly considered part of Ericaceae) |
| Genus | Monotropa (Greek for "one turn", referring to the sharp recurving of the top of the stem) |
| Species | Uniflora (Latin for "one flowered", as there is one flower per stem) |
| Habitat | Native to temperate regions of Asia, North America, and northern South America; found in deep, shady woods at low to moderate elevations |
| Absence | Notably absent in the Rocky Mountains and the southwest of the United States |
| Growing Conditions | Specialized; cannot be grown at home or commercially; thrives in deep, rich forests |
| Toxicity | May be toxic to humans; contains glycosides and salicylic acid |
| Pollination | Visited by various bee and fly species, most commonly bumblebees, which are important for pollen dispersal |
| Seeds | Small, ranging from 0.6-0.8 mm in length; dispersed via wind methods |
| Nutrition | Parasitically feeds off a host fungus, which is in turn symbiotic with a host tree; does not photosynthesize |
| Fungal Partners | Russula and Lactarius species, particularly those associated with beech trees |
| Medicinal Uses | Has been used as an anxiolytic in herbal medicine since the late 19th century |
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What You'll Learn
Ghost pipes are a type of plant, not a mushroom
Ghost pipes, also known as Indian pipes, are a type of plant and not a mushroom. They are members of the Monotropaceae family, formerly considered part of the family Ericaceae. The name "Monotropa" is Greek for "one turn", referring to the sharp recurving of the top of the stem, and "uniflora" is Latin for "one-flowered", as there is only one flower per stem. These native plant species are found throughout the majority of the United States in deep, shady woods at low to moderate elevations. They are also found in Asia and northern South America, but with large gaps between areas.
Ghost pipes are parasitic, non-photosynthesizing, herbaceous perennial flowering plants. They do not contain chlorophyll and are white or slightly pink, or in rare cases, red. They parasitically feed off a host fungus, which in turn is in a symbiotic relationship with a host tree. The host fungus is usually from the Russulaceae family. The mycelial network that supports Russulas, Lactarius, and Amanitas acts as an intermediate "highway" connecting ghost pipes to the tree roots that provide them with nutrients for survival.
Ghost pipes have highly specialized growing conditions and cannot be grown at home or commercially. They are found in deep, rich forests and are dependent on these for their survival. They are considered toxic to humans and may have various medical uses, including as an anxiolytic in herbal medicine. The Cherokee of North America feature the "pipe plant" in some of their creation stories.
In summary, ghost pipes are a unique type of plant with specialized growing conditions and a parasitic relationship with fungi. While they may resemble mushrooms in some ways, they are distinct in their lack of chlorophyll and dependence on a host fungus for survival.
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They are part of the Monotropaceae family
Ghost pipes, also known as Indian pipes, are members of the Monotropaceae family. Formerly, they were considered part of the Ericaceae family, but recent evidence suggests they should be classified separately. The name "Monotropaceae" is derived from the Greek "Monotropa", meaning "one turn", and refers to the sharp recurving of the top of the stem. The specific epithet "uniflora" is Latin for "one flowered", as each stem bears a single flower.
Monotropaceae is a family of non-photosynthesizing, flowering plants native to temperate regions of Asia, North America, and northern South America. Ghost pipes are characterised by their waxy white colour, although some specimens may have black flecks or pale pink hues, and rare variants can be deep red. They are generally 4-8 inches tall, with small, scale-like leaves and five-parted flowers.
As members of the Monotropaceae family, ghost pipes exhibit specialised growing conditions. They are unable to be cultivated at home or commercially, and their natural habitat of deep, rich forests is declining due to logging, invasive species, and human development. They are perennial plants, and if their "roots" are disturbed, they will not regrow in the same location.
Ghost pipes are parasitic plants that feed off host fungi, which are themselves in a symbiotic relationship with trees. They obtain their nutrients by tapping into the roots of these trees, which gain energy through photosynthesis. This is achieved through the intricate mycelial network of the fungi, which acts as a highway for the ghost pipes to access the necessary resources for survival, such as water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
The flowers of ghost pipes are visited by various bee and fly species, most commonly bumblebees, which aid in pollen dispersal. The plants have been used in herbal medicine, particularly as an anxiolytic, and may have toxic properties for humans.
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They are native to Asia, North America, and northern South America
Ghost pipes, also known as Indian pipes, are parasitic plants that feed off host fungi, which are in turn in a symbiotic relationship with host trees. They are native to Asia, North America, and northern South America, and are found in deep, shady woods at low to moderate elevations. They are absent from the Rocky Mountains and the southwestern United States.
Ghost pipes are members of the Monotropaceae family, with the genus name Monotropa derived from the Greek for "one turn", referring to the sharp recurving of the top of the stem. The specific epithet, uniflora, is Latin for "one flowered", as each stem produces a single flower. These flowers are visited by various bee and fly species, most commonly bumblebees, which are important for pollen dispersal.
In terms of appearance, ghost pipes are generally 4-8 inches tall, with small scale-like leaves and white, five-parted flowers. Some specimens have been described as having black flecks or pale pink coloration, while rare variants may be a deep red colour. The stems are 5-30 centimetres tall and are sheathed with highly reduced leaves that are 5-10 millimetres long, best identified as scales or bracts. These structures are small, thin, and translucent.
Ghost pipes are non-photosynthesizing plants, meaning they do not contain chlorophyll and cannot produce their own food from sunlight. Instead, they obtain their nutrients by tapping into tree roots through the mycelial network of their host fungi. This three-way highway provides ghost pipes with the water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients they need for survival.
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They parasitically feed off a host fungus
Ghost pipes, also known as Indian pipes, are parasitic plants that feed off a host fungus. They are part of the Monotropaceae family and are native to Asia, North America, and northern South America. Ghost pipes are white or slightly pink in colour, and in rare cases, they can be red. This is because they lack chloroplasts and are unable to photosynthesize, so they parasitically feed off a host fungus for sustenance.
The host fungus that ghost pipes feed off is often a member of the Russulaceae family, which includes Russula and Lactarius mushrooms. These mushrooms form a symbiotic relationship with host trees, and the ghost pipes tap into this relationship to obtain nutrients. The ghost pipe uses the root-like structures of the mycelia of Russulas, the fruiting bodies of the mycorrhizal network, as a highway to reach the roots of trees. This allows them to obtain the nutrients they need for survival, such as water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
The relationship between ghost pipes and their host fungi is a complex one. While ghost pipes are parasitic, they do not penetrate the roots of their host fungi. Instead, they form a mantle of intricately branched hyphae between the root cells of trees and take their nutrients that way. This is known as ectomycorrhiza.
The deep, rich forests that ghost pipes depend on for survival are in decline due to clear-cut or 'selective' logging, invasive plant infestations, and human development. Additionally, the current trend of foraging in forests for food and medicine poses a significant threat to ghost pipes. As perennials, if their 'roots' are pulled, they will not return.
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They are non-photosynthesizing and lack chlorophyll
Ghost pipes, also known as Monotropa uniflora, Indian pipes, or ghost plants, are non-photosynthesizing plants that lack chlorophyll. This means they cannot produce their own food from sunlight through photosynthesis like most plants. Instead, they obtain their nutrients by parasitically feeding off host fungi, which are in turn in a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic trees. This unique relationship allows ghost pipes to survive in deep, shady woods where sunlight is scarce.
The host fungi that ghost pipes depend on are typically members of the Russulaceae family, including Russula and Lactarius mushrooms. These fungi form a mycorrhizal network with the roots of trees, creating a "`highway`" for the ghost pipes to access the nutrients they need, such as water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. This three-way relationship between ghost pipes, fungi, and trees is an extraordinary adaptation that allows ghost pipes to thrive in their specific environment.
The lack of chlorophyll in ghost pipes results in their distinctive white, pink, or rarely, red colouration. The white variety may have black flecks or pale pink hues, while the rare red variant is a deep red. This colouration has led some to describe ghost pipes as "creepy" or "deathly". However, their unique appearance and parasitic nature play important roles in nature.
Ghost pipes are native to temperate regions of Asia, North America, and northern South America, favouring deep, rich forests. They are perennials, typically growing in clumps of two or more, with heights ranging from 5 to 30 centimetres. Each stem supports a single, five-parted flower, which is visited by bees and flies, particularly bumblebees, for pollination. The seeds of ghost pipes are small, ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 millimetres in length, and are dispersed by wind methods after being pushed through the petals.
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Frequently asked questions
Ghost pipes, also known as Indian pipes, are parasitic flowering plants that feed off host fungi. They are white or slightly pink, and in rare cases, red. They are found in the United States, Asia, and northern South America.
No, ghost pipes are not mushrooms. They are plants that feed off fungi, which in turn are in a symbiotic relationship with host trees.
Ghost pipes are white, with some specimens having black flecks or pale pink coloration. Rare variants may be a deep red colour. They are generally 4-8 inches tall, with small scale-like leaves and five-parted flowers.
