Monotropa uniflora

Monotropa uniflora

Monotropa uniflora, also known as ghost plant (or ghost pipe), Indian pipe or corpse plant, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to temperate regions of Asia, North America and northern South America, but with large gaps between areas. The plant is sometimes completely waxy white, but often has black flecks or pale pink coloration. Rare variants may have a deep red color.

Uses

tonic, sedative, nervine, antispasmodic.

Parts Used

Roots.

Chemical Composition

Stamens 10, sometimes 8; anthers short on the thickened apex of the hairy filament, 2-celled, opening by transverse chinks. Stigma 5-crenate, depressed, and beardless. Pod or capsule 5-celled and 5-valved; the seeds numerous, and invested with an arillus-like membrane.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada
Hindi
Malayalam
Tamil
Telugu
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit
English	Indian Pipe, Ghost Flower, Ghost Flower

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Habit

Herbs

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Simple	variable	The stems reach heights of 10-30 cm, clothed with small scale-leaves 5-10 mm long. As its species name monoflora suggests, the stems bear only a single flower, 10-15 mm long with 3-8 petals. It flowers from early summer to early autumn.

Mode of Propagation

Seeds.

How to plant/cultivate

It is likely to require shady woodland conditions in a humus-rich moist soil, It is a saprophytic plant, quite devoid of chlorophyll and depending totally on its host plant for nutrient.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Northern forest.

Photo Gallery

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External Links

• Monotropa uniflora