Indian Pipe In Our Yard

Discussion in 'Gardening Other' started by waretrop, Aug 8, 2014.

  1. waretrop

    waretrop Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    It's known as Ghost Flower and Ghost Plant. The proper name is Monotropa uniflora.

    We find it every year somewhere on our property. We love it. Didn't have time to look in the back where we have seen it most years in the past. This one was found in the front, in sunlight but under a large pine tree.

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    I was surprised to see it growing in such a sunny spot. Does anyone else have it growing around?
     
    eileen, Jewell, Donna S and 3 others like this.
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  3. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    I've seen lots of Indian Pipe this year! The most recent was right beside the garden shed at work.



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    Indian Pipe ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden )



    They were growing underneath some large spruce trees. I've seen them there in past years, but this year there were 7 or 8 clumps under there!
     
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  4. waretrop

    waretrop Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    I don't know much about them but I sure do like it when they grow near me.
     
  5. Jewell

    Jewell Incorrigible Gardener Plants Contributor

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    It has been so long since we have had significant rain that there have been few mushrooms. I haven't had to water my front yard in years, but went out and the hellebores were totally wilted. Need to do some serious watering the next few days.

    Great to see your pipes. :stew2:
     



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  6. DMJ24

    DMJ24 Seedling

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    Are they a form of mushroom?
     
  7. waretrop

    waretrop Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    No DMJ24, These little sweet things make flowers. I don't think mushrooms make flowers. They are in a whole different family.
     
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  8. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I would love to have these unusual, to me anyway, plants growing in my garden here. I have a 'thing' about white plants and flowers. :-D
     
  9. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    We have some popping up in our yard from time to time. They are dormant right now, or I would post a picture. I think they grow without chlorphyll, hence the white coloring. Anyone know about them?
     
  10. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    I think they are classified as a mushroom. I have never seen them, or at least I don't think i have noticed them in the woods or yard. Maybe in the Spring I will be more observant if I am back in the woods.
     
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  11. waretrop

    waretrop Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    I thought it was a fungus and not a mushroom. I have them in 2 places on my property. Next time I see them I will try to pollinate the flowers
     
  12. GinnyC

    GinnyC Seedling

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    It's actually not a fungus or mushroom. It's a plant that doesn't produce it's own chlorophyll so it gets it's nutrients from tapping it's roots into fungus in the soil and the tree it grows by. I was happy to see tons of these growing right along the edge of the woods on my property. It's so cool to see these unique plants.

    [​IMG]
    indian pipe ( photo / image / picture from GinnyC's Garden )
     
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  13. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Ginny, you inspired me to read up on Indian Pipes. You are right, they are parasitic, getting their nutrients from fungi (among others, Russula & Lactarius mushrooms!). The fungi get their nutrients from tree roots (& give the trees nutrients too.) Pretty interesting. I guess that is why you always see them growing under trees.

    Thanks for posting that photo Ginny.
     
  14. waretrop

    waretrop Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Hi there Cayuga Morning...good to see you here....I have them in 2 large areas of my property. We look forward to seeing them every year. They are a rare beauty.
     

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