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Project Noah Nature School
Monotropa uniflora
Tall, white plant with scale leaves and a single flower (per plant). Stem is pink to white and waxy. Yellow anthers are visible within the flowering parts. Monotropa uniflora is a mycoheterotrophic, nonphotosynthetic plant. It is unable to produce its own energy via photosynthesis, so it turns to fungi (with a preference for Russula) which are mycorrhizal with trees. This might at first seem to give the plant a disadvantage, but as a result, M. uniflora is capable of growing in dense understories with lower light and higher mulch levels--habitats that are not suited for autotrophic plants.
Growing in clusters along the base of a dense mixed hardwood ridge.
Spotted on Oct 9, 2017
Submitted on Oct 10, 2017
4 Comments
@SukanyaDatta I can understand that completely! They are a beauty to behold!
On my bucket list.
Thank you, Christine! It is one of my favorites too! The fragrance is so delicate and wonderful!
Awesome shots Lisa! This is one of my favorite flowers!