ValleyBiz Story |

A camper spotted this unusual flower in their campsite at Whitefish Lake this summer.

It is called a Monotropa Uniflora and is alson known as known as Indian Pipe or Ghost Flower.

Submitted photos. Click for a larger version.

Indian Pipe has no chlorophyll and is a parasitic plant living on on nutrients obtained from fungi that have established a symbiotic relationship with nearby trees.

It is often mistaken for a fungus because of its lack of color and its tendency to grow in dark, moist places, however it is actually a member of the blueberry family. While the plant grows across most of North America, as well as in Russia, Asia and South America, it is not a commonly encountered wildflower as it does not always appear in the same place each year.

A single flower pointing downward rests on top of each straight, waxy stem.

The plant flowers for about a week and then dies and turns black. As a result, they are sometimes also referred to as Corpse Plant.