A Colorless Flower???

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 5:35 pm

Found these flowers (I think) growing in the very deep shaded woods near where I was working back in July. Very translucent & pale structure and the woods were very wet. I think I was looking for slime molds and came across these. The third picture I took a couple of days later, the 'flowers were erect and they do look like they have all the internal parts to be a flower. Any of you have an idea (or ID) on these strange looking growths. The tallest one in pic 2 is about 4.5" in height and the flower is about 3/8ths " in diameter.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:06 pm

They are "Indian Pipes" Doug

Sometimes referred to as the "Corpse Flower" also. They are somewhat like a fungus, though they are considered a wildflower. They have no chlorophyll and therefore must obtain their nourishment from decomposing organic matter. Some really good shots of these Doug, I looked for them myself today, while roaming the mountains, though I did not find any.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:23 pm

Well, thank you very much for the ID Ken. I will have to do some searching for more info on these "Indian Pipes"

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:51 am

You've done a good job with these pics Doug - translucent white is IMO very difficult to capture as it is so easy to blow the highlights and more. Hmmm the more I look at these pics the more I like em!

That's interesting information Ken that sent me straighway winging through my wildflower books. Sadly, nothing like it in the flora poor UK (pls correct me anyone if I'm wrong).

Good posting about an unusual plant.
Bruce

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:06 am

Thanks Bruce. Here is some more info I dug up, and thanks again Ken for the quick ID on this strange flowering plant.

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/oct2002.html

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:16 am

Bruce replied:

Sadly, nothing like it in the flora poor UK (pls correct me anyone if I'm wrong).

I find it a bit puzzling that these are not or maybe have not been found in the UK, I would think that they are or would be cosmopolitain in nature.

jmlphoto · Post by **jmlphoto** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 9:19 am

very cool and so tiny. the only small flowers we have here are the brightest purple. i like the last and first shot best.

salden · Post by **salden** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:14 am

They are rather delicate looking. I like them, expecially the first image.

Planapo · Post by **Planapo** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 11:35 am

Interesting find and photographically very well documented, Doug.

And to comfort Bruce

: Monotropa species do occur in our European flora too, including the UK . And besides, there are other parasitic flowering plants that were able to afford to reduce their chlorophyll/chloroplasts totally during evolution like Cuscuta or Orobanche.

Cheers,
Betty

arlon · Post by **arlon** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:58 pm

Great pictures and very interesing, never seen anything like it myself.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:03 pm

I did a quick look up on Bettys "Cuscuta Spp" plants. Very interesting plants IMO...check this out:
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/dodder.htm

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:22 pm

Nice finding Doug!

And Betty did comfort me too. Will keep my eyes on the ground while hiking through the woods.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:26 pm

Try looking for them after a rain, Nikola. They are usually no more than 6 inches in height and they grow in small sparse clusters in rich, shady, forest soil.