Pygmy Pipe

Monotropsis odorata

''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.
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. https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105505/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105507/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html Fall,Geotagged,Monotropsis,Monotropsis odorata,United States

Appearance

Like all members of the subfamily, ''Monotropsis odorata'' does not contain chlorophyll; it is a myco-heterotroph, getting its food through parasitism upon fungi rather than photosynthesis. These fungi form a mycorrhiza with nearby tree species.

''Monotropsis odorata'' has a sweet smell which has been likened to nutmeg, cinnamon or violets.
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. https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105506/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/105507/pygmy_pipes_monotropsis_odorata.html Fall,Geotagged,Monotropsis,Monotropsis odorata,United States

Naming

Sweet Pinesap, Pygmy Pipes, Carolina Beechdrops

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Status: Unknown
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae
GenusMonotropsis
SpeciesM. odorata
Photographed in
United States of America