Monotropa uniflora
L.
Indian Pipe
(c) cgbb2004, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by cgbb2004
(c) Lynette Elliott, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
The whole plant can be cooked. It is tasteless if eaten raw, but has a taste like asparagus when it is cooked.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
E. Asia - Japan. Most areas of N. America.
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan (Hokkaidô (south), Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Vietnam NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, California), Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia), Mexico (Chiapas SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia
How to Identify
Monotropa uniflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
We have very little information on this plant but it should be hardy in this country. 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.
Propagation: This is going to be an exceedingly difficult plant to propagate. The seed will need to be sown close to its host plant so one way would be to sow it in the leaf litter under established beech or coniferous trees. Alternatively, you could try sowing the seed in a cold frame in a pot that already contains a potential host plant. If successful, grow the young plant on in the cold frame for a couple of years before planting it out close to an established beech or coniferous tree.
Medicinal Uses
Antibacterial Antispasmodic Epilepsy Febrifuge Hypnotic Nervine Odontalgic Ophthalmic Sedative Tonic WartsAn infusion of the root is antispasmodic, hypnotic, nervine, sedative, tonic. It is a good remedy for spasms, fainting spells and various nervous conditions. It has been given to children who suffer from fits, epilepsy and convulsions. The plant was used by some native North American Indian tribes to treat eye problems, the stem was bruised and the clear fluid of the stems applied to the eyes. The juice from the stems has also been used to treat nervous irritability, including fits and spasms. It has been suggested in the past as a possible opium substitute. An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat colds and fevers. The crushed plant has been rubbed on bunions and warts in order to destroy them. A poultice of the plant has been applied to sores that are difficult to heal. The flowers have been chewed in order to bring relief from toothache. Water extracts of the plant are bactericidal.
