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Native Plant Database

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Monotropa hypopithys (Pinesap)
Bruso, George H.

Monotropa hypopithys L.

Pinesap

Monotropaceae (Indian-Pipe Family)

Synonyms: Hypopitys monotropa

USDA Symbol: MOHY3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A saprophytic, red, pink, lavender, or yellow plant with several vase-like, nodding flowers on a downy, scaly stem; stem and flowers colored alike.

Autumn-flowering plants are characterized by their red color, while early-flowering forms are yellow. Like its single-flowered relative, Indian Pipe (M. uniflora), Pinesap does not carry on photosynthesis but obtains its nourishment from fungi associated with roots, often those of oaks and pines. The closely related, similar Sweet Pinesap (Monotropsis odorata) has united petals; it occurs in Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky south to Florida and Alabama. Sweet Pinesap has two flowering periods: February to April, when the flowers produced are faded rose colored and very fragrant, and September and October, when the flowers are lavender and odorless.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Alberta east to Newfoundland, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Nebraska and Minnesota; widely distributed in West.
Native Habitat: Upland woods, usually in acidic soil.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Monotropa hypopithys in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Monotropa hypopithys in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Monotropa hypopithys

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-07-25
Research By: TWC Staff

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