Indianpipe
Monotropa uniflora
- Native to:
- Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Prince Edward I., Russia, United States
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Genus:
- Monotropa
- Species:
- Monotropa uniflora
- USDA Symbol:
- MOUN3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Endopiza monotropana, forgotten fan-foot (Zanclognatha protumnusalis), Xestia adela
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bumblebees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, well-drained forest soil
- pH:
- 4.0 - 5.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in shaded, undisturbed forest floors
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Mycoheterotrophic; cannot be grown from seed without specific fungal host (Russula spp.) and tree associations. Not cultivable by conventional means.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Light required for germination; do not cover seed.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Very difficult; needs to be sown in leaf litter under beech or cedar as host