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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Monotropsis odorata (Sweet pinesap)
Cressler, Alan

Monotropsis odorata

Monotropsis odorata Schwein. ex Elliott

Sweet Pinesap, Pygmy-pipes, Carolina Beechdrops

Monotropaceae (Indian Pipe Family)

Synonym(s): Monotropsis lehmaniae, Monotropsis odorata var. lehmaniae, Monotropsis reynoldsiae

USDA Symbol: MOOD2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A monotypic genus Monotropsis odorata is aclorophyllous and is mycoheterotrophic; that is, it utilizes ectomycorrhizal fungi to obtain carbon from the roots of hardwood trees.

A state-listed Endangered species in Florida and Maryland. A state-listed Threatened species in Kentucky and Tennessee.

 

From the Image Gallery

11 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 5 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple , Violet , Brown
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Dec

Distribution

USA: AL , DE , FL , GA , KY , MD , NC , SC , TN , VA , WV

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-18
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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