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Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata) Vulnerable/Threatened Species.<br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> I was a bit stunned by these oddballs, so please feel free to correct my ID.<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105505/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html" title="Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/105505_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=9Dvd%2BlBTCIHQt%2FhmcQmelHYtz%2BI%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata) Vulnerable/Threatened Species. S1: Critically Imperiled in GA. It is considered endangered in Maryland and Florida. <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> I was a bit stunned by these oddballs, so please feel free to correct my ID.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105506/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105507/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html Fall,Geotagged,Monotropsis,Monotropsis odorata,United States" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105507/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html" title="Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3231/105507_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=Ac8mH6GKWBGq2V2Hdm1vQ3j14is%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata) Vulnerable/Threatened Species.<br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> I was a bit stunned by these oddballs, so please feel free to correct my ID. <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105506/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105505/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html Fall,Geotagged,Monotropsis,Monotropsis odorata,United States" /></a></figure> Fall,Geotagged,Monotropsis,Monotropsis odorata,United States Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata)

Vulnerable/Threatened Species.
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.

Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata) Vulnerable/Threatened Species. S1: Critically Imperiled in GA. It is considered endangered in Maryland and Florida. <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> I was a bit stunned by these oddballs, so please feel free to correct my ID.<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105506/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105507/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html Fall,Geotagged,Monotropsis,Monotropsis odorata,United States

Pygmy Pipes (Monotropsis odorata) Vulnerable/Threatened Species.<br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> I was a bit stunned by these oddballs, so please feel free to correct my ID. <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105506/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105505/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html Fall,Geotagged,Monotropsis,Monotropsis odorata,United States

    comments (9)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
    Lion
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    Yessss!!! Totally fabulous! These are the ones you told me about, right? I love this shot! Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
    1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
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      Yep! <3 I am still stunned I found these in the dark understory of the rhodondendron/mountain laurels (did you know those two often grow TOGETHER?) Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
        Lion
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        Ohh, I did not. That would *help* explain the confusion, lol. Posted 4 years ago
        1. View Christine Young's profile
          Christine Young
          Lion
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          I really love the color of these. It's almost like it's the goth version of Monotropa uniflora. Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
          1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
            Flown Kimmerling
            Lion
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            Agreed. The bases are a pretty pink like some Monotropa, so I was like WTF are theseeeeee! The purple was really striking. Posted 4 years ago
          2. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
            Flown Kimmerling
            Lion
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            Also, I just contacted the Army Corp of Engineers about this observation. Waiting to (hopefully) hear back from them! Posted 4 years ago
        3. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
          Flown Kimmerling
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          Haha! I thought the same thing Posted 4 years ago
  3. View Patomarazul's profile
    Patomarazul
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    So beautiful! Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
      Flown Kimmerling
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      Thank you, Marta! I thought so too! Such a unique color! Posted 4 years ago

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The Pygmy Pipe

''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.

Info 3 0
Similar species: Ericales
Species identified by Flown Kimmerling
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By Flown Kimmerling

All rights reserved
Uploaded Dec 12, 2020. Captured Dec 11, 2020 16:10 in 1850 Carters Dam Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 39,925 9,640 8
  • Canon EOS 6D Mark II
  • f/18.0
  • 1/181s
  • ISO100
  • 100mm
Captured in the fall. More fall photos.

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