A pinkish-yellow non-chlorophyllous plant.

Also called: Pinesap, Dutchman's Pipe

Native status: Native to North America

§ Quick facts

SizeHeight 15–30 cm
LifespanPerennial
OrderEricales
FamilyEricaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Monotropa hypopitys, syn. Hypopitys monotropa, also known as yellow bird's nest in Britain and Ireland, pinesap and false beechdrops in Canada and the United States, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Monotropoideae subfamily of the family Ericaceae. It is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and is scarce within its range. M. hypopitys is a mycotrophic plant which means it obtains nutrients and fixed carbon by parasitizing the mycorrhizal networks of trees. It lacks chlorophyll and does not photosynthesize. The species name, M. hypopitys, is from Latinized Greek hypo-, "under", and pitys, "pine," referring to where it often grows.

Source: Wikipedia — Monotropa hypopitys Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Yellow-tan to pink fleshy stem; clustered nodding flowers; no green parts.

Similar species. Indian Pipe (pure white). Other Monotropa species.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. N/A — photosynthesis

Behavior. Mycoheterotroph related to Indian Pipe; receives nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi. Yellow-tan rather than white.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Mature pine forests

§ Threats

Forest loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the pinesap is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support pine forest conservation.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USDA Plants Database