Monotropa uniflora
Ghost-pipe, Ghost-Pipe
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Monotropa uniflora (Ghost-pipe) is a native California herb in the Ericaceae family.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differentiators are style width and sepal appearance relative to petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Low mixed or conifer forest
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Mono
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern North America, also Central America, northern South America, eastern Asia
Bloom period
Monotropa uniflora blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Sarcodes: Monotropa nods when young and is whitish; Sarcodes stands upright and is bright red.; vs Pterospora: Monotropa is short with nodding flowers; Pterospora is very tall with upright flowers.; vs Allotropa: Monotropa lacks stripes and nods when young; Allotropa has candy-cane stripes and stands upright.; vs Pleuricospora: Monotropa has separate petals; Pleuricospora has fused tubular petals.; vs Pityopus: Monotropa has separate smooth petals; Pityopus has fused petals hairy on the inside.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monotropa uniflora native to California?
Yes. Monotropa uniflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Monotropa uniflora bloom?
Monotropa uniflora blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Monotropa uniflora grow?
Monotropa uniflora occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mono, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Monotropa uniflora belong to?
Monotropa uniflora is in the Ericaceae family, genus Monotropa.
Is Monotropa uniflora rare or endangered?
Monotropa uniflora carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.