Indian Pipe is a bizarre, ghostly white wildflower that contains no chlorophyll and obtains all nutrients as a myco-heterotroph, stealing carbon from mycorrhizal fungi connected to forest trees. It glows eerie white in dark forest understories across eastern North America. Unlike most wildflowers, it turns black when handled or after dying.
Habitat
Deep shade of moist hardwood forests, often in dense leaf litter
Diet
Myco-heterotroph; obtains nutrients from tree-fungus network; bees visit flowers
How common
Common
Recent Indian Pipe sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Indian Pipe? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free