PromotedSpecies introCountry intro
Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata)
Vulnerable/Threatened Species. S1: Critically Imperiled in GA. It is considered endangered in Maryland and Florida.
Growing beneath a stand of mountain laurel/rhododendron (I suck at IDing these during this season), near a swampy, forested area. Not very fragrant. Maybe a slight spicy scent.
This small plant is nonphotosynthetic, so it must obtain its carbohydrates from an outside source. It is thought that it grows in conjunction with Hydnellum fungi, which obtains carbon from photosynthesizing plants in order to produce carbohydrates. Monotropsis odorata then extracts these carbohydrates from the fungus.
I was a bit stunned by these oddballs, so please feel free to correct my ID.
''Monotropsis'' is a monotypic genus of plants containing the single species ''Monotropsis odorata'', also known as sweet pinesap or pygmy pipes. It is a member of the subfamily Monotropoideae of the family Ericaceae. It is native to the Appalachian Mountains in the south-eastern United States, and is viewed as being uncommon throughout its range.
