These are such interesting plants. I see them rarely & get excited when I do. Also known as Ghost Pipe.
According to one reference it is in the blueberry family. Really?! I thought they were a fungus, but no. They are parasitic & feed on fungus.
They don't last long. I found these on the trail I walk several times a week just down the hill from my home. Above is when I first spotted them. These are from a couple years ago & I haven't seen them since. Glad I took lots of pictures over a several day period. I am always on the look out as I walk by the spot later in the summer.
The first time I saw them i was about 11 at a summer camp on the opposite side of Michigan. I have been fascinated with them ever since.
What a fantastic flower. The name alone called me here as soon as I saw it in my blog roll - and the photos did not disappoint me. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI don't know this flower, strange and beautiful! Thanks for sharing your photos!
ReplyDeleteQuilting Patchwork & Appliqué
Very interesting. I've never even heard of them before.
ReplyDeleteI would never guess that it was from the blueberry family. Something so ethereal and devoid of color seems the opposite of colorful blueberries. There really interesting looking.Weekends In Maine
ReplyDeleteI was shocked as well. I thought it was a fungus.
DeleteI have them on the side of my house in the woods. I also always thought they were a type of fungus. Who knew?
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