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IndianPipes_0696-Edit.jpg - Indian Pipes — Monotropa uniflora — (September 19, 2009) Looking like a praying group of pink-habited nuns, this is a plant without chlorophyll! Sometimes misidentified as a saprophyte, or a plant that feeds on dead or decaying matter, Indian pipes actually get nutrition from a fungus that is in a symbiotic relationship with trees. More often seen as a pale white translucent plant, it may turn pink as it is fertilized. If picked it turns into a black gelatinous mass, a characteristic which accounts for its nickname of “Corpse Plant”. Over the past two years this strange plant has been found in fairly wide distribution along the Henry Hollow Loop, just below the upper parking lot, but its numbers seem to have been decreasing. Prior to seeing it in great numbers, 3 years ago, it was very uncommon, and may once again become more difficult to find.

Indian Pipes — Monotropa uniflora — (September 19, 2009) Looking like a praying group of pink-habited nuns, this is a plant without chlorophyll! Sometimes misidentified as a saprophyte, or a plant that feeds on dead or decaying matter, Indian pipes actually get nutrition from a fungus that is in a symbiotic relationship with trees. More often seen as a pale white translucent plant, it may turn pink as it is fertilized. If picked it turns into a black gelatinous mass, a characteristic which accounts for its nickname of “Corpse Plant”. Over the past two years this strange plant has been found in fairly wide distribution along the Henry Hollow Loop, just below the upper parking lot, but its numbers seem to have been decreasing. Prior to seeing it in great numbers, 3 years ago, it was very uncommon, and may once again become more difficult to find.

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