There are a few strange flowers about and this is one of them, its parasitic so it is not plentiful as it has to have certain host plants. Indian Pipe, and it does look like one of those clay pipes from long ago. Indian Pipe ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Indian Pipe. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden )
Parasitic plants hold a real fascination for me and I'd love to have more varieties in my garden. I think the Indian Pipe is gorgeous and very unusual - wish it grew here.
Thank you Jewell. As you are in the same area as I am, you may know some of the things that post. I only post nature stuff and perhaps something from the garden now and then.
Hi Netty. The Russula mushrooms and Lactarius mushrooms take nutrients from tree roots. In turn the Indian pipe takes its nutrients from the fungus that the fungus had taken for itself. The fungus and the tree have a working relatinship but the pipe gives nothing back. This makes the Indian Pipe a parasite of both the fungus and the tree.
Hi Eileen, yes there are some great parasitic plants in the woods. I have quite a few photos of many now with the coralroots etc. I think my favorite is the Candy cane. Candy cane. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden )
