Pinesap (Monotropa hypopithys)

Additional Flower Resources Indian Pipe Family Types of Flowers

The Monotropa genus, which is normally called Indian Pipes, actually consists of two species, the all white Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) and the more colorful pinesaps (Monotropa hypopithys).

Plants emerge from the forest floor, with prominent, nodding heads. At the end of their bloom period, when the flowers get ready to seed, the stalks straighten out and look like the pink pinesap in the top picture.

Pinsap also comes in shades of yellow and cream, and it is one of the most common mycotrophic heath, found in coniferous forests throughout the United States, including Alaska.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels