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The unique and eerie Indian Pipe has several common names, such as American Iceplant, Bird’s Nest, Broomrape, Convulsion Root, Convulsion Weed, Corpse Plant, Death Plant, Fairy Smoke, Ghost Flower, Iceplant, One-Flowered Waxplant, Ova Ova, Pipe Plant and Waxplant. It is identified by its translucent, white, waxy stalk with scaly bracts and bears only a single nodding flower that resembles a peace pipe. Because the Indian Pipe has no chlorophyll, it does not have the green colour that which we associate with living plants. As a saprophytic plant, often found in woodlands rich in humus, the Indian Pipe can survive in light-starved conditions under dead leaves or coniferous needles as it obtains its nourishment from decayed organic material found on the forest floor versus capturing sunlight through leaves like other plants.
When the seeds are formed, the flower head of the plant raises, and as the plant begins to ripen, it will turn black and withered. It is said in some folklore that the Indian Pipe has the power to help healing after the loss of a loved one.
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