Spoiler I'd seen photographs of this plant before but couldn't bring the name to mind until I showed it to my husband. He said it reminded him of clay pipes and then it hit me. It's Monotropa uniflora, also known as the Ghost Plant, Indian Pipe or Corpse Plant. Many thanks to my OH for jogging my memory.
Spoiler I once saw a large stand of these plants in the woods while taking a walk. The plants were one of the few things growing on the white pine sheltered forest floor. Somewhere I may even have a picture. Anyway, they are Indian Pipes and they derive their nourishment from fungus that feed on the trees as they do not produce any chlorophyl. ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) I found the picture Jerry
