Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Indian Pipe Flowers

t1601


For the first time this year I got to see some Indian Pipe Flowers (aka ghost flower, corpse plant), scientific name, Monotropa uniflora.


t1600


The plants are small, growing to 4-10" tall with flowers that are about ¾" long. The entire plant is white and turns black when damaged. A gel-like sap is said to have been used medicinally by Native Americans for treating eye problems.


t1599



Once pollinated, the flowers turn upright and the plants turn brown. Hopefully next time I see them they will be fresher.

20 comments:

  1. are they frost bit or just beyond the prime bloom?

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  2. Wonderful. Hope you're enjoying you visit with your Mom.

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  3. I love pictures of buds...so full of anticipation!

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  4. Never seen those before! Interesting!
    By the way, I'm making the Christmas cards you showed!

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  5. Wow. Very interesting flowers! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, my friend!

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  6. Haha! This pic puts me in mind of "No 5 is Alive!" Do you remember that movie? With the little robot? Oh god Im feeling old again! LOL!

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  7. Those are very pretty. They look almost like blueberries right before the berries form.
    I hope ya'll have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  8. I've never heard of those before and I may not have ever seen one either. Great captures! Things are so beautiful up close!

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  9. Those are interesting. I've never seen those flowers. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  10. this is the first time i've seen this kind of flowers... i like the tinge of blue on the edges... hope you're having a great time with your mom... happy thanksgiving!

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  11. Oh they are perdy! ;) Great shots! And Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
    Cheers, Klaus

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  12. your photos, as always, are breathtaking

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  13. Those are so spectacular. Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving Lisa.

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  14. Now aren't those neat!!!! thanks for stoppin in....I have missed visiting with you!!

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  15. You know what I can't believe?
    That nobody's mentioned that it looks like they've already been smoked.
    What's wrong with people that they can't work with a straight line like that one??

    But seriously, those are way cool... and beautifully captured as always.

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  16. I have never seen nor have I heard of these. I'll have to look them up to see where they usually grow.

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  17. How unusual ... thanks for introducing us to these flowers.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  18. [...] Indian Pipe Flowers For the first time this year I got to see some Indian Pipe Flowers (aka ghost flower, corpse plant), scientific name, Monotropa uniflora. t1600. The plants are small, growing to 4-10“ tall with flowers that are about ¾“ long. … [...]

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