Indian Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
Family: Ericaceae
What it is like
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.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Damp coniferous woods in hills and mountains all over Japan. Dark rich woodlands in N. America.
E. Asia - Japan. Most areas of N. America.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
The whole plant can be cooked. It is tasteless if eaten raw, but has a taste like asparagus when it is cooked.
Medicine
Rating: 3
An 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.
Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Epilepsy: Used in the treatment of Epilepsy - a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Hypnotic: Induces sleep.
Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.
Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Warts: Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
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.
Propagating it: 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The plant contains several glycosides and is possibly toxic.