per name that plant folks...montropa uniflora "corpse plant" cool as hell, also best name ever

Also known as Indian Pipe.

This IS a cool plant indeed, no chlorophyll. I found them growing in the woods years ago. Unlike anything I ever saw before.

Christopher

Since these plants contain no chlorophyll, they have to get their energy somewhere else. They are true parasites....an organism which relies on a living host in order to live.

Indian Pipes have a very interesting story, I think. They obtain their energy from fungi....but not just any fungi. Their host 'shrooms must have a mutualistic relationship (mychorrizal) with the roots of certain trees. It's remarkable.....in the long run, Indian Pipes get their energy from chlorophyll.....twice removed!

They are closely related to azaleas, by the way. Cool, huh?