Monotropa uniflora, more commonly known as the ghost pipe, is a native wildflower named for its white, waxy, and translucent appearance. To find ghost pipe, look for whitish plants 4–8 inches tall growing out of the shady forest floor. The ghost pipe’s unusual color, which can vary from bright white to a pinkish hue, is due to a lack of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that give them their green hues and helps them absorb energy from the sun through a process called photosynthesis.
So, without the help of chlorophyll, where does the ghost pipe get its energy?
Believe it or not, ghost pipe is a parasitic plant! It takes its energy from fungi that grow on the roots of neighboring trees. Ghost pipe is one of less than 1 percent of flowering plants that do not get their energy directly from the sun, making this spooky plant a rarity.
Next time you’re out on a hike, keep your eyes peeled! You might catch a glimpse of this fascinating, yet ghoulish, native New York plant.
