Emily Johnson
Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe, is a member of the Monotropaceae family. It is a flowering plant that is often mistaken for a mushroom due to its white colour and parasitic nature. Ghost pipes are native to Asia, North America, and northern South America, and grow in deep, shady woods. They are characterised by their lack of chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis, and instead obtain nutrients and carbohydrates from tree roots through an intermediate source, mycorrhizal fungi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Monotropa uniflora |
| Common Names | Ghost pipe, Indian pipe, corpse plant, ghost mushroom, ghost plant, pipe plant |
| Description | White, pale pink, or black-speckled flowers; small scale-like leaves; 4-8 inches or 5-30 centimetres tall |
| Habitat | Humid, shady woods at low to moderate elevations; native to Asia, North America, and northern South America |
| Food Source | Parasitically feeds off host fungi, which are in turn in a symbiotic relationship with host trees |
| Medicinal Uses | Used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes |
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What You'll Learn
Ghost pipe is a plant, not a mushroom
Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe, is a flowering plant, despite its misleading name. It is a member of the Monotropaceae family and its genus name, Monotropa, is 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 there is only one flower per stem.
The ghost pipe is a parasitic plant that feeds off a host fungus, which in turn is in a symbiotic relationship with a host tree. This is known as myco-heterotrophy. The plant lacks chlorophyll, which is responsible for photosynthesis, so it cannot produce its own food from sunlight. Instead, it saps nutrients and carbohydrates from tree roots through an intermediate source—mycorrhizal fungi, such as Russula and Lactarius. This three-part process is explained in detail by Dr Tom Volk on his webpage, Tom Volk’s Fungus of the Month.
The ghost pipe is a perennial plant, generally 4-8 inches tall, with small scale-like leaves and white five-parted flowers. It is waxy white, although some specimens have been described as having black flecks or pale pink coloration. Rarer variants may be a deep red colour. The plant is native to temperate regions of Asia, North America, and northern South America, but with large gaps between areas. It is found in humus in deep, shady woods at low to moderate elevations and is noticeably absent throughout the range of the Rocky Mountains.
The Cherokee of North America feature the "pipe plant" in some of their creation stories. The legend states that the plant was named "Indian pipe" due to a group of chiefs who quarrelled without resolution while passing a pipe around during the dispute. The Great Spirit then turned the chiefs into the plant, as they should have smoked the sacred pipe after making peace with each other.
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It parasitically feeds off a host fungus
Ghost pipe, or Monotropa uniflora, is a unique plant that has a parasitic relationship with a host fungus. Unlike most plants, it does not contain chlorophyll and therefore cannot photosynthesize. Instead, it relies on a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus to obtain nutrients. This parasitic relationship is essential for the survival of the ghost pipe, as it cannot produce its own food through photosynthesis. The host fungus that the ghost pipe depends on is typically found in symbiotic relationships with tree roots. The fungus invades the roots of trees and forms a mutualistic relationship where both parties benefit. The tree gains an increased surface area for absorbing water and nutrients, while the fungus receives carbohydrates produced by the tree through photosynthesis. However, when the ghost pipe enters the equation, it taps into this symbiotic relationship and redirects some of the tree-derived carbohydrates to itself. This parasitic behavior allows the ghost pipe to thrive in deep shade or even complete darkness, as it does not require sunlight for energy production.
The host fungus that the ghost pipe parasitizes is typically a member of the Pezizales order, specifically from the genus Russula or Lactarius. These fungi form mycorrhizal associations with the roots of trees, particularly conifers and beech trees. Once the host fungus has established a relationship with the tree roots, the ghost pipe sends out underground rhizomes to connect with the fungal hyphae. Through this physical connection, the ghost pipe extracts sugars and other nutrients that the fungus has obtained from the tree. By tapping into this symbiotic relationship, the ghost pipe essentially steals nutrients that were intended for the tree, demonstrating its parasitic nature.
The parasitic behavior of the ghost pipe has led to some interesting adaptations in its morphology and life cycle. Due to its reliance on the host fungus for nutrients, the ghost pipe has lost the ability to photosynthesize and no longer produces chlorophyll. As a result, it has a distinctive pale color and often appears ghost-like, giving it its common name. The lack of chlorophyll also means that the ghost pipe does not require sunlight and can grow in deep shade or complete darkness. Additionally, the parasitic relationship has influenced the distribution and habitat of the ghost pipe. It is often found in forests with abundant tree roots colonized by mycorrhizal fungi, particularly in temperate regions.
The parasitic relationship between the ghost pipe and its host fungus has also raised questions about the ethical implications of such interactions. Some may argue that the ghost pipe's behavior is unethical as it disrupts the mutualistic relationship between the fungus and the tree, effectively stealing nutrients from the tree. However, it's important to recognize that parasitic relationships are a natural part of ecosystem dynamics and play a role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. Additionally, the ghost pipe's reliance on the host fungus highlights the complex and intricate relationships that have evolved between plants and fungi over millions of years.
In summary, the statement, "It parasitically feeds off a host fungus" accurately describes the unique relationship between the ghost pipe and its fungal partner. Through its parasitic behavior, the ghost pipe has adapted to a non-photosynthetic lifestyle, relying on the host fungus for nutrients. This relationship has resulted in fascinating morphological and ecological adaptations, allowing the ghost pipe to thrive in deep shade and forested habitats. While it may raise ethical questions, the parasitic nature of the ghost pipe is a testament to the complexity and diversity of plant-fungal interactions in nature. Understanding this parasitic relationship contributes to our knowledge of plant biology and the intricate web of dependencies that exist in ecosystems.
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It is white, sometimes with pink or black specks
Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe, is a member of the Monotropaceae family. It is a waxy white plant with some specimens exhibiting black flecks or pink coloration. Rare variants may even have a deep red colour. 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 one sharply curved stem for each single flower.
The plant is native to temperate regions of Asia, North America, and northern South America, but with large gaps between areas. It is found throughout the majority of the United States in humus in deep, shady woods at low to moderate elevations and is noticeably absent throughout the range of the Rocky Mountains. These perennial plants are generally 4-8 inches tall, with small scale-like leaves, and white five-parted flowers.
The ghost pipe is a parasitic, non-photosynthesizing plant that feeds off a host fungus, which in turn is in a symbiotic relationship with a host tree. It saps nutrients and carbohydrates from tree roots through an intermediate source, mycorrhizal fungi, in the genera Russula and Lactarius. This is possible because the ghost pipe lacks chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for harnessing the sun's energy to produce carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
The ghost pipe is also known as the "pipe plant" in Cherokee creation stories. The legend states that a group of chiefs quarreling without resolution while passing a pipe around during the dispute were turned into the plant by the Great Spirit. It is said to grow wherever friends have quarrelled.
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It is also known as Indian pipe or corpse plant
Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe or corpse plant, is the common name for the herbaceous perennial flowering plant Monotropa uniflora. Native to Asia, North America, and northern South America, this plant is characterised by its striking white appearance, although some specimens may exhibit pale pink or even rare deep red coloration. The name "Monotropa" is Greek for "one turn", referring to the sharp recurving of the top of the stem, while "uniflora" is Latin for "one flowered", reflecting the fact that each sharply curved stem bears a single flower.
The Indian pipe or corpse plant is a parasitic, non-photosynthesising plant, lacking the green pigment chlorophyll, which is essential for harnessing the sun's energy to produce carbohydrates through photosynthesis. Instead, it obtains nutrients and carbohydrates by parasitically feeding off a host fungus, which in turn is in a symbiotic relationship with a host tree. This three-part relationship involves the host fungus, belonging to the genera Russula or Lactarius, providing sugars and nutrients to the ghost pipe, while the tree contributes sugars produced through photosynthesis to the fungus.
The Indian pipe plant typically grows to a height of 4-8 inches (or 5-30 centimetres according to some sources), with small scale-like leaves and white five-parted flowers. The flowers, which appear from June through September, are usually solitary on each stem but can also be found in small clusters. The Cherokee of North America feature the "pipe plant" in their creation stories, believing that it grew wherever friends had quarrelled.
The ghost pipe, or Indian pipe, is often mistaken for a mushroom due to its eerie whiteness and growth in deep, shady woods. However, it is distinct from mushrooms as it does not produce its own food through photosynthesis and instead relies on parasitising fungi for sustenance. This unique relationship highlights the complex and unseen collaborations occurring within forest ecosystems.
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It is native to Asia, North America and northern South America
Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe, is a native plant species found throughout the majority of the United States, Asia, and northern South America. It is a member of the Monotropaceae family and is known by the scientific name Monotropa uniflora. This herbaceous perennial flowering plant is parasitic and non-photosynthesizing, meaning it lacks chlorophyll and cannot produce its own food from sunlight. Instead, it obtains nutrients and carbohydrates by parasitizing fungi, particularly species of Russula and Lactarius, which are in a symbiotic relationship with trees.
The name "Monotropa" is derived from the Greek word for "one turn," referring to the sharp recurving of the stem, while "uniflora" is Latin for "one flowered," as each sharply curved stem supports a single flower. Ghost pipes typically grow in clumps of two or more, with their fungal source nearby. They are easily identifiable by their distinctive appearance, which includes a waxy white colour with occasional black flecks or pale pink or red colouration.
In terms of size, ghost pipes generally reach heights of 4 to 8 inches, although some sources provide a wider range of 5 to 30 centimetres. The leaves are small and scale-like, measuring 5 to 10 millimetres in length, and the flowers have five parts and are white. Flowering occurs from June through September, and the plants can be found in humus in deep, shady woods at low to moderate elevations. Notably, they are absent throughout the range of the Rocky Mountains.
Ghost pipes have cultural significance among the Cherokee of North America, featuring in their creation stories. According to legend, the plant was named "Indian pipe" due to a story involving a group of chiefs who quarrelled while passing a peace pipe. As a result, the Great Spirit turned the chiefs into the plant, signifying that they should have smoked the sacred pipe to make peace with each other.
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Frequently asked questions
Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe, is a member of the Monotropaceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Asia, North America, and northern South America.
Ghost pipes are white or slightly pink because they lack chlorophyll and chloroplasts, which are necessary for photosynthesis. They parasitically feed off a host fungus, which in turn is in a symbiotic relationship with a host tree.
Ghost pipes sap nutrients and carbohydrates from tree roots through an intermediate source, mycorrhizal fungi, such as Russula and Lactarius.
