It’s that time of year. Days continue to get shorter and colder. When the alarm goes off in the morning, I notice the sun hasn’t yet made its appearance, and I’m rushing to get things done outside when I get home before it gets dark. As you all know, this trend will persist until the winter solstice has passed. Then, the days slowly start to lengthen.
I don’t enjoy the lingering darkness, but I learned recently of a plant called Monotropa uniflora that thrives in very dark environments, often in dense forests. Imagine my surprise when I discovered some of these ‘ghost pipes’ on my own property, sandwiched between an Aesculus parviflora (Bottlebrush Buckeye) hedge and a deciduous forest of oaks, hickories and cherries. Now that’s a pretty dark space. I only discovered them because I was clearing out some invasives that were taking over desired plantings.
Monotropa emerging from the dark forest floor
Ghost plants can survive in spaces void of light because they don’t generate food through photosynthesis. Instead, they establish a relationship with the mycorrhizal network used by trees to communicate with one another and share water and nutrients. Through photosynthesis, trees create sugars used by the mycelium to create more spores and expand their networks.
Tapped into this fungal system, ghost pipe sends up a white stalk, resembling the vertebrae of a human spine, that blossoms into a bell-shaped flower. The flower faces upward toward the tree canopy as if expressing gratitude to the giants who help support its life and nods toward the ground in homage to the network that gives it true life.
Monotropa stems resemble the vertebrae of a human spine
Flowers bow to the ground in homage to the fungal networks that give them life
In addition to being a unique and intriguing plant, ghost pipe is used as a tincture to help humans manage pain and anxiety. Herbalists like Sean Donohue say Monotropa provides these benefits because it has to act as a filter for the mass amount of information travelling across the networks it taps into, similar to a human spine and brainstem.
Technically, Monotropa is a native plant, but propagation is difficult as you can imagine. You won’t find these plants at your local nursery. I suggest you go ghost hunting in the dark corners of your garden. You just might just find some hiding there.
I continue to be intrigued by the way the mycorrhizal network works similarly to the nervous system in humans and was so pleased that you included it your blog! Keep up the good work, both online and in the dirt 😉
Thanks Natasha. I’m glad you liked my post and the connection between plants and people!
Carol – if these plants are in your yard, then there’s no denying that you are taking the photos. That means you are also a great photographer and must have a terrific camera to be taking such clear close-ups. Very nice!
Thanks for the compliment, Mike, but I didn’t take these photos. The plant is fairly rare and my clump was small so I used a royalty photo service to best feature this amazing plant!
Awesome story. So amazing how beautiful they are.
I agree Carol – an interesting and beautiful plant.
Very cool Carol! Interesting stuff…
So glad you enjoyed reading my blog!