Thomas J. Elpel's
Web World Portal

Wildflower Logo.
Wildflowers & Weeds

Facebook Button. 		Banner Image.
Wildflowers-and-Weeds.com  
Plant Identification, Edible Plants, Weed Ecology, Mushrooms, and more.
Home | Plant Identification | Plant Families Gallery | Edible Plants | Mushrooms | Links
Desertification & Weed Ecology | Weed Profiles | E-Mail | Search this Site

Monotropaceae: Indian Pipe Family Plant Identification Characteristics.

Monotropaceae
Plants of the Indian Pipe Family

      The plants of the Indian Pipe family are saprophytes, meaning that they have no chlorophyll and they feed on dead organic matter in the soil. They are often white, yellow, brownish, or even candy-striped red and white. There are 2 to 6 separate sepals, 3 to 6 petals, sometimes united, and 6 to 12 stamens. The ovary is positioned superior and consists of 4 to 6 united carpels (syncarpous) forming an equal number of chambers. It matures as a capsule. Worldwide, there are 12 genera and 30 species. North American genera are listed below. The Indian Pipe family is now considered a subfamily of the Heath Family. Be sure to read about other plants lacking chlorophyll in the Broomrape and Orchid families, plus Cuscuta in the Morning Glory Family.

Key Words: Saprophytic plants with regular flowers.

Please e-mail Thomas J. Elpel to report mistakes or to inquire about purchasing high resolution photos of these plants.

Monotropa hypopitys. Pine Sap.

Monotropa hypopitys. Pine Sap.

Monotropa hypopitys. Pine Sap.

Monotropa hypopitys. Pine Sap.

Pterospora andromedea. Pine Drops.

Pterospora andromedea. Pine Drops.

Foraging the Mountain West
Foraging the Mountain West

There are more
Indian Pipe Family pictures
at PlantSystematics.org.

Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification
Identify plants with
Botany in a Day		 Foraging the Mountain West
Start feasting with
Foraging the Mountain West

Return to the Plant Families Index
Return to the Wildflowers & Weeds Home Page

      Looking for life-changing resources? Check out these books by Thomas J. Elpel:

Green Prosperity: Quit Your Job, Live Your Dreams.
Green
Prosperity		 Roadmap to Reality: Consciousness, Worldviews, and the Blossoming of Human Spirit
Roadmap
to Reality		 Living Homes: Stone Masonry, Log, and Strawbale Construction
Living
Homes		Participating in Nature: Wilderness Survival and Primitive Living Skills.
Participating
in Nature		 Foraging the Mountain West: Gourmet Edible Plants, Mushrooms, and Meat.
Foraging the
Mountain West		 Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification
Botany
in a Day		 Shanleya's Quest: A Botany Adventure for Kids
Shanleya's
Quest

Portal Icon.
Return to Thomas J. Elpel's
Web World Portal | Web World Tunnel

Thomas J. Elpel's Web World Pages
About Tom | Green University®, LLC
HOPS Press, LLC | Dirt Cheap Builder Books
Primitive Living Skills | Outdoor Wilderness Living School, LLC
Wildflowers & Weeds | Jefferson River Canoe Trail
Roadmap To Reality | What's New?
© 1997 - 2021 Thomas J. Elpel