Plant
Ghost Pipe
Monotropa unifloraAlso known as Indian Pipe, Corpse Plant
Ghost Pipe is a waxy white to pinkish woodland plant with translucent scale-like leaves and a single nodding flower. Lacking chlorophyll, it obtains carbon through fungal partners connected to nearby trees rather than through photosynthesis.
mycoheterotrophwoodland plantchlorophyll-free
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyDraws carbon and nutrients through mycorrhizal fungi that also associate with living trees
Predators
- slugs
- snails
- small mammals
ThreatsForest clearing, soil compaction, fungal-network disruption, drought, and wild collection
HabitatsMature shaded forest with intact fungal networks, deep litter, and moist organic soil
Life spanA perennial underground plant that sends up short-lived flowering stems when conditions allow
Classification
- OrderEricales
- FamilyEricaceae
- GenusMonotropa
- SpeciesMonotropa uniflora
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Do not ingest or transplant Ghost Pipe; its underground fungal relationships are easily disrupted.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Look for a translucent pale stem with scales and one nodding flower.
- Protect: Photograph from the trail without touching the stem or disturbing surrounding litter.
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