Indian Pipe is a small, low-lying wildflower. Unique among wildflowers, Indian Pipe is opaque white (sometimes red-rarely pink) in color from root to petal. As indicated by its scientific name, Indian pipe has a singular nodding flower at its terminal end. The straight, thin stem has a waxy, fungus-like consistency and is irregularly sheathed in thin, translucent white bracts (reduced from leaves).

The nodding flower of the Indian Pipe is approximately 1.5-2.5 cm. long. The ball-shaped bloom has 4-5 thin translucent white petals, 10-12 stamens and a single pistil.

Fruit:

The fruit is an oval capsule-like structure that becomes enlarged and erect when the seeds mature.

Leaves:

Leaves are highly reduced and are best identified as scales or bracts. These structures are small, thin, and translucent. They do not have petioles but instead extend in a sheath-like manner out of the stem.

Habitat:

Indian pipe thrives best in woodland humus.

Fun Facts:

Indian Pipe lacks chlorophyll accounting for its translucent white color. Because it can not synthesize its own energy, this plant is a saprophyte; like a fungus, its root system soaks up necessary nutrients from surrounding decaying plant matter.

Like most saprophytic plants, Indian pipe truns dark brown to black when it is starved or in fruit.