Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), also known as Ghost Plant or Corpse Plant, grows in woodlands throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
While a member of the plant kingdom, it lacks chlorophyll. Instead, it is saphrophytic -- siphoning its nutrients from the special nutrient relationship that exists between certain trees and a variety of fungi. The trees and the fungi have a mutually beneficial relationship providing each other with certain nutrients. The Indian Pipe uses nutrients from the fungi and trees, but gives nothing back.
This unique evolutionary adaptation allows the Indian Pipe to thrive on the dark forest floor in the absence of sunlight.
