Monotropa uniflora

Ghost-pipe, Ghost-Pipe

Family: Ericaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Ghost-pipe is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, and northern coastal ranges in low mixed or conifer forests at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white, translucent flowers with sepals resembling petals. Growing as a delicate, waxy white stem emerging from forest floor, it lacks chlorophyll and parasitizes fungal networks. Its singular flower bends downward, with a style two to five millimeters wide, emerging from underground mycorrhizal connections. The plant appears ghostly and pale, blending almost invisibly among forest floor debris.

Habitat: Low mixed or conifer forest

Bloom period: Jun-Jul

Elevation: < 200 m

Bioregions: NCo, KR, NCoRO

California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Mono

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.