Monotropa uniflora, also known as ghost plant (or ghost pipe), Indian pipe or corpse plant,
is an herbaceous perennial plant native to temperate regions of Asia,
North America and northern South America, but with large gaps between
areas. The plant is sometimes completely waxy white, but often has black
flecks or pale pink coloration.
Unlike
most plants, it is white and does not contain chlorophyll. Instead of
generating energy from sunlight, it is parasitic, and more specifically a
mycoheterotroph. Its hosts are certain fungi that are mycorrhizal with
trees, meaning it ultimately gets its energy from photosynthetic trees.
Since it is not dependent on sunlight to grow, it can grow in very dark
environments as in the understory of dense forest.
No comments:
Post a Comment