A Naturalist’s Guide to Ghost Pipe or Indian Pipe

Ghost Pipe is a wildflower with a ghostly appearance, a unique relationship with fungi, and a role in traditional medicine.

Ghost pipe, also known as Indian pipe or corpse plant, is a white, waxy, and translucent wildflower found in North American forests. The various names come from its resemblance to the Native American peace pipe and its waxy, ghostly appearance.

Ghost pipe does not contain chlorophyll and does not carryout photosynthesis. Instead, the flower gets its nutrients from tree roots via mushrooms in the generas Russula and Lactarius. It is found mostly in shaded areas where other green plants cannot live, since it doesn’t require the sun for photosynthesis. 

What does Ghost Pipe or Indian Pipe Look Like?

Ghost Pipe is typically white, waxy, and translucent, often said to have a ghostly appearance. It may sometimes appear with pink hues and black specks.

The plant grows between 4 to 11 inches (10 to 30 cm) tall, with one flower at the top of each stem. Each flower is made up of five parts.

When the plant first blooms, the flower starts by drooping towards the ground, later straightening as it matures. Once pollinated, the flower turns black and dies. 

Where doe the ghost pipe or Indian Pipe live?

Ghost Pipe is found across North America (excluding the Rocky Mountains), parts of Asia, Russia, and South America.

Ghost Pipe is unlike most plants because it doesn’t rely on sunlight for energy. It doesn’t contain chlorophyll, so it doesn’t photosynthesize. Instead, it taps into fungi that connect to tree roots, getting nutrients indirectly from the trees.

This plant thrives in moist, shaded, humus-rich forests, often under dense tree canopies, where other green plants struggle to survive. Humus is a type of soil created from decomposing plants or organisms.  

Use of Ghost Pipe in Traditional Medicine

Pain Relief: Historically, Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, used Ghost Pipe as a remedy for physical and emotional pain, earning it the nickname “nature’s opiate” (though it isn’t an opiate). It’s been used to treat nervous system disorders, anxiety, and intense pain, including migraines and PTSD symptoms.

Nervous System Ally: Its resemblance to a spine and brain stem allegedly led to its traditional use in calming nerves and addressing nervous system issues.

Toothache Remedy: Chewing the flowers was a common remedy for toothaches

Cold and Fever: An infusion of the leaves was used to treat colds and fevers

Cherokee Legend of the Ghost Pipe or Indian Pipe

According to Cherokee legend, Indian pipe grew from the ashes of two warring tribes who refused to make peace. It is said that the chiefs of the Cherokee and eastern tribe met to settle the conflict over the peace pipe but argued for seven days and nights instead. The Great Spirit, was unhappy with both the fighting and for smoking the pipe without making peace.

The Great Spirit punished the tribal chiefs by turning them into flowers shaped like a pipe. The flowers will then serve as a reminder to the people that the pipe is sacred and should be respected. The drooping flowers are also supposed to be a symbol of failed peace and the dangers of unresolved conflict—like a bowed head.

After creating Indian pipe, the Great Spirit placed a ring of smoke over the mountains that will last until the world lives together in peace. These mountains are now known as the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Fun Facts About Ghost Pipe or Indian Pipe

Mushroom-Like Appearance: Ghost Pipe is often mistaken for a mushroom due to its pale, waxy appearance and lack of chlorophyll—it is a flower

Cherokee Lore: According to Cherokee legend, ghost pipe grows on land where a fight between friends and family has occurred

Nervous System: Ghost pipe resembles a spine and brain stem (it also resembles a smoking pipe)

Ephemeral Blooms: The flowers only last a few days before wilting and turning black when pollinated

Pollinated Upside Down: Bees pollinate the flower while it is still drooping, a rare and interesting adaptation for flowers

Symbolism: The flowers bloom for a short time—wilting quickly after being picked—has made it a symbol of transience, death, and rebirth in various cultures. 

Don’t Pick: The ghost pipe flower doesn’t have a fragrance and will quickly wilt and turn black if picked.

Emily Dickinson’s “Preferred Flower”: The poet Emily Dickinson referred to it as the “preferred flower of life,” with the flower later gracing the cover of her first posthumous poetry collection.

Ethical Harvesting of Ghost Pipe or Indian Pipe

Ghost Pipe is a rare plant, and ethical harvesting is crucial. If harvesting for medicinal purposes, foragers are advised to only take a small portion from large colonies and to tincture the plant immediately, as it wilts quickly when picked. This ensures the plant can continue to grow and sustain itself in its delicate habitat. Please respect this plant.

Other names for Ghost Pipe or Indian Pipe

The Ghost Pipe is known by many names including Indian pipe, Corpse Plant, Ice Plant, Death Plant, Bird’s Nest, Fit-plant, Ova-ova, Pipe-plant, Ghost-flower, Ghost Pipe, Fairy Smoke, Ghost Flower, Convulsion Root and Dutchman’s pipe. 

’Tis whiter than an Indian Pipe – by Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson wrote this poem, ’Tis whiter than an Indian Pipe, on a sheet of notebook paper in 1879.