INDIAN PIPE 



(Ericaceae) 

 Monotropa uniflora Linn. 



A white, scapose, succulent plant growing usually in clusters from a mass 

 of matted, brittle roots, attached to partially decayed organic matter in the 

 soil, stems 4-10 inches high, erect, each with a solitary nodding, terminal, 

 inodorous, oblong-campanulate flower, one-half to 1 inch long; the fruit, 

 which is a 5-celled, many-seeded capsule becoming erect; sepals 2-4,' decid- 

 uous ; petals 4-5 (rarely 6), puberulent within, white, somewhat longer than 

 the stamens which are usually ten in number ; ovary ovoid, acute, narrowed 

 into the short, thick style and funnelform stigma. 



In moist, rich woods, Anticosti to Florida, west to Washington and 

 California. 



The Indian pipe or corpse-plant, as it is frequently known, is one of the 

 few flowering plants which possesses a saprophytic habit, and is in conse- 

 quence devoid of green leaves or green color in the stems. 



114 



