Who You Gonna Call?
Posted on August 23, 2024
Summer isn’t over yet, but we’ve already seen a ghost on the preserves…ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora), that is!
Often mistaken for a fungus due to its white, nearly translucent appearance, this freaky find is actually a non-photosynthetic flowering plant that lacks chlorophyll.
Non-photosynthetic? No chlorophyll?! How does it get nutrients?
The answer involves a dramatic, underground love triangle.
I’m Not Haunting You, I’m Parasitizing You!
Technically, ghost pipe survives by stealing nutrients from trees…but it doesn't steal them directly. It takes them from a third-party source: mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with the roots of plants (in this case, trees). The mycelium, or “roots,” of the fungi intertwine with those of the trees. The fungi take carbohydrates from the trees, and in exchange give the trees moisture and nutrients from the soil.
Here’s where the love triangle happens: the ghost pipe tricks the fungi into thinking it’s going to form one of these mutually beneficial, “mycorrhizal” relationships. Instead, the ghost pipe saps the nutrients from the fungi's mycelium and gives nothing in return. This means that ghost pipe is a parasitic plant.
Where Does This Phantom Appear?
You can find ghost pipe from June to September in deep, shaded woods at low to moderate elevations. Spooky, right? It’s also important to note that this plant is small—only about 4 to 8 inches tall—so it's easy to miss.
If you happen to find ghost pipe on your next hike, remember to take only pictures! “Parasitic” has a negative connotation, but ghost pipe doesn’t sap enough nutrients to cause its host(s) significant harm.
Ghost pipe is native, ephemeral, and just plain cool to find—so please leave it for others to stumble upon and wonder about!
