Identifying a Leafless White-Stalked Plant with a Single Brownish-Lavender Flower

Identifying a Leafless White-Stalked Plant with a Single Brownish-Lavender Flower

A Connecticut observer found a 6-inch leafless white stalk with a single 8–10 pointed brownish-lavender flower (1–1.5 inches wide) on a leaf/wood chip base. The flower fell off next day; a photo of the shriveled flower exists.

Possible Identification

The description matches Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), a mycoheterotrophic plant (achlorophyllous). Typically white/pink, flowers turn blackish with age. Bloom time June–September. The brownish-lavender color could be an overmature flower.

Other Achlorophyllous Plants

Other Monotropaceae in the region (e.g., pinesap, Monotropa hypopitys) have multiple small flowers in a raceme, not a single large flower.

Conclusion

Likely an aged Indian Pipe flower. The source Wellesley College notes bloom June–September and blackening with age.