The Indian Pipe Flower is a strange plant indeed. It is a waxy white plant. Sometimes it has black specks, or a light pink coloration. There are no leaves. However, it may have scales. As its name implies, this plant produces flowers, that look like a smoking pipe. Each stem produces a single, pipe-like white flower. It produces fruit that contains seeds for future generations. Indian Pipe Wildflowers bloom from June to September. Also called the “Ghost Plant”, it has tiny, scale-like white leaves, that turn black when the plant gets old. In addition to growing well in dark, naturalized settings, this plant is a good container plant.
The plant is a parasite. It does not produce chlorophyll. So, it relies on other plants for the nutrients it needs. The plant feeds on decaying leaves and other rotting vegetation. It is often mistaken for fungi. Indian Pipe Wildflowers are members of the blueberry family. The plants grow in shady woodlands, in moist, rich soils with lots of decaying plant matter.
Did You Know? Worldwide there are about 3,000 non-photosynthetic flowering plants.
Flower Colors: White
Flowers Bloom: Early Summer to early Autumn.
Plant Height: Two to twelve inches tall.
Native to: Asia, North America, and northern South America.
Light Requirements: Partial to full shade.
Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5.
Hardiness Zone: 4 – 11.
Toxicity: Yes. This plant contains glycosides that are toxic to humans and pets.
Botanical Name: Monotropa uniflora
Other names: Ghost Plant, Ghost Flower, Ghost Pipe, Indian Pipe Wildflower
YES and NO!!
This plant contains glycosides which are mildly toxic.
It can only be eaten in moderation. Rumor has it they taste somewhat like asparagus. However, due to its toxicity, we strongly recommend you do not consume it. There are too many other things to eat.
There are a variety of medicinal applications for the Indian Pipe wildflower plant. Among them are:
Without a doubt, this Ghost Plant grows best in the darkest, shadiest areas around your home. It does not like direct sunlight at all. However, it tolerates a little light shade.
The flowers release tiny seeds into the wind. This allows the plant to spread far and wide throughout its shaded habitat.
Usually, people do not grow these plants. Those of us who want to grow it can find plants for sale online. Most often someone like you is reading this page because you stumbled upon it in the woods and want to learn more about it.
Select the shadiest areas of your yard to grow these plants. Plant it where there is plenty of decaying vegetation for it to feed on. The soil underneath should be rich. If not, add plenty of leaf mulch or other rich compost at planting time. It prefers moist, but not wet soil. It tolerates short-term soggy soil. If the soil begins to dry out in mid-summer, water the plant frequently.
With the absence of light and ample dead vegetation to feed upon, your Indian Pipe Flower will thrive without any additional care. Then, in the summer you will be rewarded with small, white flowers, helping to offset the otherwise dark and drab corners of your yard.
If your patio or deck is on the shaded side of your home, Indian Pipe Plants are a good candidate to grow in a container or flowerpot. Its unique appearance makes it a great item of conversation. However, keep in mind these plants are mildly toxic. So, keep them away from young children and pets.
Like other container plants, they require a little extra attention than when planted in the ground.
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